Woman wins bid to challenge conviction over husband's hammer murder

A jealous wife who bludgeoned her husband to death with a hammer has won a bid to challenge her conviction.

Georgina Challen, known as Sally, attacked 61-year-old Richard Challen in August 2010 as he ate lunch at the kitchen table of their former marital home in Claygate, Surrey.

The couple had been attempting to patch up their marriage after separating but Challen became enraged after discovering he had phoned another woman.

Georgina Challen (Surrey Police/PA)
Georgina Challen (Surrey Police/PA)

In June 2011, a jury at Guildford Crown Court found Challen, 64, guilty of murdering the former car dealer.

She admitted killing him but denied murder, claiming diminished responsibility.

Challen was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years, which was later reduced on appeal by four years.

Justice for Women claimed that she was the victim of "coercive control".

On Thursday at the Court of Appeal, Challen was granted leave to appeal against her conviction by Lady Justice Rafferty, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith and Mrs Justice Carr.

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