about Patricia
Patricia had left her partner a number of times, but he always followed her and found her. On the night that she stabbed him, he had tried to throttle her at least twice. She had tried to leave but came back for the sake of the children. Her 16-year-old son tried to get her partner out of the house. He had his hands around her son's throat when she stabbed him once.
Justice for Women worked with Patricia’s solicitor and recommended an experienced barrister. Patricia was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter, for which she was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment. The sentence was reduced to two years on appeal. The appeal court judges took into account the violence she had been subjected to throughout the relationship.
“I am one of the many, many women Justice for Women supported. Their work was invaluable to me at a time in my life when I had no-one to turn to. They became my lifeline and gave me a chance to believe that one day the nightmare would end and I would be free. I could not see my children, family or friends, but Justice for Women gave me the faith that one day I would. Now, four years later, I am reunited with my children and resettled. We have peace in our lives to live for the future without fear.”