May 2005

Woman jailed for child sex

A WOMAN who admitted killing her ex-husband on Christmas morning, three years ago, was jailed for four years for child sex offences.

Kathleen Webber, 42, of Penlan, Swansea, formerly of Tredillion Lodge, Abergavenny, had denied sexual activity with a child and an act of cruelty to a child, but was found guilty.

Webber, and her partner, Andrew Priday, were sentenced at Swansea crown court.

She was sentenced to four years in prison with 200 days for breach of licence, placed on the sex offender’s register for life and disqualified from working with children.

Priday was jailed for eight years with an extended licence period of 11 years.

He targeted two children and pleaded guilty to offences of indecent assault, sexual activity with a child and pornography. He must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

In May 2003, the press reported on the trial in which Webber took a knife to her ex-husband on Christmas morning when her reconciliation with him went wrong.

The full horror of the violent relationship which led to the Christmas Day killing was revealed in court.

Newport Crown Court heard that after stabbing her ex-husband Dean Webber in the chest, she lay on her bed smoking and washed the knife clean – as he lay dying.

Webber, who suffered years of abuse from her partner, received a two-year prison sentence for knifing Mr Webber.

Sentencing Webber – who previously admitted a charge of manslaughter – Mr Douglas Brown, said she suffered years of abuse at the hands of violent partners and led an “unhappy life”.

Webber and her ex-husband had a stormy relationship. The court heard that she had previously stabbed him in the mouth and twice threatened to kill him.

Patrick Harrington, QC, prosecuting, said on Christmas Eve 2002 the pair spent the night drinking but then a row broke out.

He said that the row escalated and shortly after midnight, Webber stabbed her ex-husband with the largest in a set of kitchen knives. Webber was arrested on suspicion of murder.