Detective's hope that sentencing of 'manipulative, calculating, dangerous, vicious' Nicola Lee will help family get closure

The ‘manipulative, calculating, dangerous, vicious’ woman who robbed children of their father has been jailed for 14 years – and police say they hope the sentence will help the family get the closure they deserve.
Nicola LeeNicola Lee
Nicola Lee

Nicola Lee has been jailed for 14 years after killing her partner, Paul Taylor.

The 45-year-old died as a result of a single stab wound to the chest following an altercation with Lee in the early hours of March 31.

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But when the scheming 44-year-old called emergency services she claimed her partner had been brandishing a knife, and threatened to take his own life.

Paul TaylorPaul Taylor
Paul Taylor

They also heard troubling tales of her violent outbursts against Mr Taylor – on one occasion, attacking him with a hammer.

Passing sentence at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, Mr Justice Martin Spencer QC, called the-44-year old ‘manipulative, calculating, dangerous, vicious and aggressive in drink.’

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He said: “In my judgement you are an intelligent, calculating woman who will again lie when it suits you. You put on a convincing act as soon as you realised the enormity of your actions.

“The combination of anti-psychotic drugs, anti-depression drugs and smoking cannabis led you to become aggressive, argumentative and eventually violent.”

Senior investigating officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Cairns added: "We know that no sentence will ever make up for what happened to Paul and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time. Hopefully this will help them get the closure they deserve.

“This was an awful incident - Paul was killed by someone he knew and loved and the consequences of what Lee did will live with her and with Paul’s family for the rest of their lives.”

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Paul’s family were present in court, and a victim impact statement written by his mother was read out which described him as someone with a ‘brilliant sense of humour, mischievously charming and amusing.’

It also spoke of the family’s pain at knowing he would not be there to see his children grow up.