Wife given life sentence for stabbing husband to death at flat

A woman who murdered her husband has been jailed for at least 18 years.

Lorna Middleton, 36, stabbed William Middleton, 38, in the heart at their flat in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, on June 26, 2020.

Middleton was angry after claiming William – known as Billy – had not “stuck up” for her in a row she had with a young man.

She later remarked to officers: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”

Mum-of-four Middleton wept on Wednesday as she was jailed for life at the High Court in Glasgow.

She had been convicted after a trial in September of the murder charge.

Lord Clark said he had increased the minimum sentence as the killing had occurred in a “domestic setting”.

The judge added: “Your evidence was that you had no memory of committing this devastating and murderous attack.”

Jurors heard how the Middletons had people at their flat the night before the death.

Witnesses claimed Middleton got into a row with stranger Kieran Spence.

It became more physical and a bottle was apparently thrown by Middleton.

Neighbour James Long said Middleton later argued with William after he did not “back her up” in the argument.

The 32-year-old stated he also saw Middleton punching William “a couple of times on the head” but he did not react.

He added: “They were good punches, not to knock him out but he was more upset.

“When he was getting hit, he was sitting crying.”

William briefly left the flat before returning. He was eventually alone with his wife.

Mr Long’s partner Samantha Jackson, 28, stated that she heard Middleton shout “help me” or “someone help me” around 20 minutes later.

PC Scott Trabathan and a colleague were dealing with another matter when they traced screaming to the couple’s flat.

The officers had to force entry and prosecutor Derick Nelson asked PC Trabathan what they discovered.

He said: “I saw a man lying on the floor on his back unresponsive with a female lying beside him.

“She was lying beside the man holding him in her arms, screaming.”

Middleton was arrested and held at a police station.

While there, she stated to an officer: ‘How is my husband, is he dead, I know he is dead, just tell me’.”

She also made reference to “revenge is a dish served cold”.

WIlliam died from a stab wound to the chest. His other injuries included a fractured neck, a broken rib and scratches to his face.

Middleton told jurors in evidence that she was attacked by her husband when they were left alone in the flat.

She claimed she tried to walk out on him after he apparently went back on a decision to move to Dumbarton.

Middleton claimed she tried to leave the flat but was grabbed by the hair by Billy, who allegedly hit her.

She claimed her next memory was lying on the floor beside her bleeding husband.

But, Middleton – who already had a conviction for violence – insisted to have no recollection how it happened.

Victoria Young, defending, said: “She has displayed significant remorse, which appears genuine. She has struggled since being in the prison environment.”