A 56-year-old woman, Annette Louise Ruth Hancock, has been sentenced to 19 years behind bars for the murder of her partner, Benjamin Harris, during a drunken argument in Hobart, Tasmania.
A History of Family Violence
Hancock was subject to a family violence order, which prohibited her from entering Harris’s home, but she was staying with him at the time of the murder with his permission.
A Fatal Confrontation
The pair had been drinking heavily on the day of the murder and got into an argument after Harris told Hancock that he had slept with another woman.
In a fit of rage, Hancock grabbed a large knife from a window sill, which Harris had kept for protection, and stabbed him in the back after several misses.
Hancock initially told police that Harris had arrived at the unit after being stabbed, but later made a full confession to the crime, showing genuine remorse.
‘An Impulsive Act’ Says Judge
Justice Helen Wood, who sentenced Hancock, described the murder as “an impulsive act” and noted that while Hancock did not intend to kill Harris, she should have appreciated that death was a likely result of her actions.
Hancock’s response to Harris’s hurtful comments was “disproportionate in the extreme,” said Justice Wood, who also noted that Harris was “particularly vulnerable” due to a brain injury.
A Sentence with a Twist
Hancock was sentenced to a 10-year non-parole period, close to the minimum for the charge.
Justice Wood said that prison would weigh more heavily on Hancock due to her mental health conditions, but also noted that she had benefited in jail without access to alcohol.
Hancock has been reconnecting with her children and family in jail and has shown insight into the need for medication as part of her rehabilitation.
The sentence has been backdated to 2022, when Hancock was taken into custody.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Men’s Referral Service can be reached on 1300 766 491.