Nicola Lee due to be sentenced for manslaughter of partner Paul Taylor in her Jarrow home

Nicola Lee was convicted of the manslaughter of Paul Taylor following a trial.

It followed his death at her home in Thames Avenue in Hedworth, Jarrow, on Sunday, March 31, last year.

She will return to Newcastle Crown Court today, Wednesday, October 30, for sentence.

During the trial, the court heard she claimed he had inflicted the fatal wound himself, but the jury rejected the 44-year-old’s story and found her guilty of manslaughter.

They found her not guilty of murder.

The trial heard from two of Lee's previous partners and was told she had threatened to kill one and had subjected them to verbal and physical abuse during their relationships, while a neighbour told of how she was aggressive and preyed on the vulnerable.

Following her conviction, Northumbria Police released bodycam footage of her swearing, struggling and being aggressive with officers who arrested her after she was told Mr Taylor had passed away.

During the trial, prosecutor Caroline Goodwin QC said Lee and Mr Taylor’s relationship was turbulent and told the court on the night Mr Taylor, 45, lost his life Lee was "drunk, aggressive and argumentative.”

Miss Goodwin said the couple's relationship was turbulent and added: "Neither of them were angels but the crown say the person who was particularly violent was the defendant."

As police investigated Mr Taylor’s death Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt, of Northumbria Police, said: “Paul was a well-liked and much-loved man and his family are obviously devastated by their loss.”