Woman who killed husband told police: 'I'd do it again'

A woman accused of murdering her husband of 24 years told police she “would do it again” after being informed he had died, a court has heard.

Penelope Jackson, 66, stabbed her husband David, 78, in the kitchen of their home in Parsonage Road, Berrow, Somerset, on 13 February this year.

She has accepted manslaughter but denies murdering her husband, who she claims subjected her to "years of abuse".

On the second day of her trial at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, jurors heard she expressed joy when it was confirmed her husband had died from the stab wounds she inflicted at their home.

She was arrested after knifing David Jackson three times and refusing to offer help while he lay dying on the kitchen floor.

Prosecuting, Christopher Quinlan QC said Jackson was told the allegation had been upgraded to murder when she arrived at the police station.

He said she replied: “Oh, murder, not attempted murder? Oh, good.”

The court heard she then told police: “It was a long time coming. I am glad.

“If I was given the chance again I would do it again even if they locked me up for 125 million years.

"I should have walked away years ago but I didn't. I deserve everything coming my way but sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do."

Jackson was detained by police who noted injuries on her arms and a small cut to her finger, and she was interviewed under caution the following day.

The court heard she had refused to answer questions but provided a statement.

She told police she had been the victim of "extreme violence" following the death of her husband’s 28-year-old son Gavin, who killed himself in 1998, the court heard.

She then referred to an incident in December 2020 when she called police and locked her husband in the conservatory to protect herself before he smashed his way out and allegedly assaulted her.

She said that on 13 February she and her husband had enjoyed a video call with her daughter and son-in-law in which they all ate crab and lobster.

Speaking about her husband, she told police: “His face changed into something I had seen so many times. I knew at the end of the call there would be trouble."

She said she went to bed in fear and put a knife under her pillow.

“I felt I could not do this any more and tried to take my own life by slitting my wrist. I told David I had had enough and could not go on."

She said Mr Jackson “goaded her” to use the knife.

She said: “I did not intend to kill or do him serious harm, but I stabbed him once with a knife. I got up and went towards the kitchen.

“I put the knife down and said, “Now you know what it feels like.' He then came towards me but what happened next is not clear.”

She added: “I did not intend to kill him - I just wanted him to stop. I wanted David to know the years of abuse had to stop."

Mr Quinlan told the jury that when police carried out a search of the scene they discovered what he described as a "confession note."

The court heard the note read: “I have taken so much abuse over the years – look at my records.

“But he was a good Daddy. However the mask slipped tonight. That was unforgivable.

“I accept my punishment, may he rot in hell.”

Mr Quinlan said it was clear the note had been written before the 999 call as police arrived during that period.

On Monday, the trial heard that Jackson told a 999 operator: “I thought I’d get his heart but he hasn’t got one.”

The victim managed to call emergency services, telling the operator his wife had stabbed him, and could be heard screaming in pain as Jackson allegedly drove the knife into him for the final time.

Jackson herself then took over the call, and calmly told the call handler: “I’ve killed my husband, or tried to, because I’ve had enough.”

When asked where he was, she replied: “He’s in the kitchen bleeding to death with any luck.”

Jackson denies murder but has accepted manslaughter.

The trial continues.