Stab victim's friends 'glad killer is jailed'
Stephen Matthew Vidal, 41, was knifed in the heart by his ex-girlfriend Sally Wood after they spent New Year's Day together. Yesterday Wood, (35), a mum of three, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Leicester Crown Court.
She showed no emotion in the dock as the verdict was announced.
Wood was acquitted of murdering Mr Vidal, but unanimously convicted of an alternative manslaughter charge.
She knifed Mr Vidal after they spent the day drinking brandy together at a friend's flat in Highfields.
They had also taken crack cocaine and smoked cannabis resin.
Wood, of Wyville Row, Braunstone, earlier told the jury she had loved Mr Vidal, her partner of eight years who was also a father-of-five, although the couple had no children together.
After the verdict Mr Vidal's family issued a statement, saying: "Steve was a loving son, cherished father, devoted grandfather and a beloved family member.
"Memories of Steve include him always joking, being a friendly person with a cheeky smile on his face and bounce in his step, singing a tune.
"We as a family are devastated having Steve taken from us well before his time, leaving an empty space in all our lives and hearts.
"We realise that Steve will live on in all of our memories and hearts."
They thanked police for their help and support throughout the trial.
Joanne Anderson, Stephen's former partner and friend, said: "I am glad such a violent and aggressive woman is behind bars but I do not believe any sentence will be long enough and can never compensate for the devastation Sally Wood has caused – not only to Steve's family and friends but also to her own.
"Steve was my best friend and I loved him and miss him every day, but I can only imagine the pain and sense of loss his parents and children must feel."
The court heard how Wood and Mr Vidal had been out together on New Year's Day.
Wood claimed Mr Vidal suddenly tried to stab her as they shouted at each other in Carlton Street, near Leicester Royal Infirmary, in the early hours of January 2. She said she turned the knife on him in self-defence.
After the stabbing, she made her way home, leaving him to bleed to death, the court heard.
Wood later called the police screaming hysterically: "I didn't mean to do it."
The jury of five men and seven women took three hours to reach their verdicts yesterday.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.
She will be sentenced on August 26.
During the trial, prosecutor Nirmal Shant QC alleged Wood had lost her temper and attacked Mr Vidal, in a drink and drug-fuelled rage.
After the verdicts, Detective Superintendent Julia McKechnie, who led the investigation, said: "They were so close to the Leicester Royal Infirmary, she could have run and got help, she could have phoned for an ambulance. But instead she got into a taxi and went home and called the police."
