Accused murderer claims she stabbed partner in Sheffield because she feared being attacked after drugs row

Sheffield Crown Court has heard during an on-going trial how Kerry Taylor, aged 41, of Ravenscroft Place, Stradbroke, Sheffield, has denied murdering partner Simone Hancock who suffered multiple stab wounds on July 4.

Ms Taylor told the court today, January 19, she feared she was about to be attacked by Ms Hancock after a row over crack-cocaine at Ms Hancock’s flat and she only stabbed her once and is therefore only responsible for the lesser offence of manslaughter.

The defendant told the hearing she had gone to Ms Hancock’s flat, also at Ravenscroft Place, with crack-cocaine which they shared but she kept some back for herself and claimed Ms Hancock had wanted more.

The defendant said: “After she smoked hers and I had a bit left, she wanted a bit of that but there was not enough to split.”

She added: “I thought she disappeared to get a knife having seen all the knives around me.”

Ms Taylor said Ms Hancock returned to the room and was at her side when she saw a flash and feared she was about to be attacked.

She has claimed Ms Hancock had been armed with a knife but she disarmed her and stabbed her once in self-defence.

The defendant told the hearing she grabbed hold of Ms Hancock’s hand and took the knife with her left hand and stabbed Miss Hancock in the right side of the chest.

She said: “It’s all I remember and I do not think I will ever forget it.”

The defendant had later been seen in the street before she was treated at hospital for an injury to her left hand and was arrested, according to prosecuting barrister Robert Woodcock.

Mr Woodcock said Ms Taylor ran from the flat and discarded some clothes and he added that she claimed she had been raped but the defendant said she could not remember these details because of drugs, alcohol and possibly shock.

Ms Taylor also claimed she had no recollection of being at hospital or making dereogatory comments about Ms Hancock and she could not remember later being with a police custody officer.

Mr Woodcock, who said Ms Hancock suffered more than ten stab wounds, claimed Ms Taylor had made comments which suggested she knew Ms Hancock had been stabbed multiple times but the defendant insisited she could not remember.

Witnesses have also previously outlined a number of alleged neighbourhood disturbances and altercations involving Ms Taylor and Ms Hancock prior to July 4.

Simone Hancock’s mother, Patricia Hall, stated Ms Hancock had got involved with drugs after her marriage broke down and she had suffered mental health probems.

Ms Hall also stated Simone Hancock had told her she had been having trouble with Kerry Taylor.

The trial continues.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor