Life sentence for murderer who stabbed to death lover in Hartcliffe

A 41-year-old woman who stabbed to death her lover - and then refused to provide him with first aid - has been given a life imprisonment with a minimum 15 years behind bars.

Sonja Blenkiron murdered 52-year-old Paul Wagland in Gatcombe Road in Hartcliffe on January 30. After the attack she changed her clothes and fled the scene to visit a friend before returning and calling 999.

When asked to carry out first aid, she dismissed the idea. And before officers arrived and arrested her she attempted to wash away blood in the sink. Blenkiron had claimed she was acting in self-defence.

But a jury at Bristol Crown Court found her guilty of murder, and today (August 14) she was given her life sentence.

Following the sentencing, the family of Mr Wagland released a statement. It read: “We will never be able to put into words the loss of someone as special as Wags and what he meant to each and every one of us.”

The jury heard that on the night of Mr Wagland’s death, one of Blenkiron’s neighbours told detectives they were woken by noise coming from her flat. They told how they heard Mr Wagland crying before a loud thud and then complete silence, followed by Blenkiron repeatedly telling her partner to wake up.

Neighbours also described her as someone who was “confrontational and provocative” and who could often be heard shouting at Mr Wagland.

After the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Almond, the senior investigating officer, said: “During the trial, jurors were played a recording of the 999 call Blenkiron made after attacking her partner. For someone who claimed she acted out of necessity she showed a remarkable lack of empathy, dismissing the call handler’s requests she provide Mr Wagland with first aid.

“Footage from officers body worn cameras when she was arrested appeared to show Blenkiron was more concerned with ensuring she had shoes to wear when taken into custody. Blenkiron clearly had no respect for the man she claimed to love and who’s life she had just taken.”