Lover jailed for six-and-a-half years for killing girlfriend

A County Down man who killed his girlfriend because she said that she no longer loved him, has today been given a jail sentence of six-and-a-half years.

David Jones, 37, of Lismore Avenue, Bangor, previously admitted to the manslaughter of his girlfriend and mother of three Pauline McConnell in January 2005.

The court was told that Jones had taken a kitchen knife into the bathroom in order to kill himself, and Mrs McConnell had jumped up and somehow managed to get stabbed.

Jones had originally been charged with her murder but that was "left on the books" after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

At Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, the judge Mr Justice Deeny said: "To go into this cramped space with a sharp knife and brandish it while you were under the influence of alcohol was an appalling act."

Mr Justice Deeny said there was "clear evidence of remorse" and that "alcohol played a significant part in this tragedy."

Jones also agreed to spend another 15 months on probation after the six-and-a-half year sentence has been served.

Speaking outside the court Mrs McConnell's ex-husband Derek who has custody of their three children said that the family would like to be able to move forward and put it all behind them.

(EF/SP)