Grandmother set for murder sentence

Heather Emmonds, 58, was convicted of murdering Tina Casey, 42, at the younger woman's home in Holywell, North Tyneside, in February after a jury deliberated for just two hours.

She had already twice tried to poison the younger woman by crushing sleeping tablets into a chilli and a sweet and sour dish she prepared.
Emmonds admitted killing Ms Casey but denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility and a loss of control. She put her hand over her mouth and wept silently when the guilty verdict was returned at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.

Because she took her own knife to the scene of the crime and used it on her son's ex-partner, Emmonds could face a minimum term of 25 years when she is handed a life sentence, the court heard.