Wife who stabbed property tycoon husband to death is cleared of murder

Jennifer Parkinson wept as the jury at Winchester Crown Court unanimously cleared her after five hours of deliberations.

The 65-year-old stabbed retired headteacher Michael Parkinson, 63, at the £330,000 flat in Sanderling Lodge, Rope Quays, Gosport, Hampshire, on March 22 last year.

She had admitted manslaughter on the basis of no intent at the start of her trial, but denied the murder charge.

The seven-day trial heard that the couple had a drunken row, after Mr Parkinson blamed his wife for getting into buying around 20 properties in Rutland which lost money – something Parkinson said upset her as it went back on a promise not to blame each other.

The pair had been losing £4,000 a month through the properties due to rising interest rates and flooding, and they were forced to live in a motor home for a time. But in recent months, the financial situation improved and the couple made a £2,000 a month profit.

Judge Guy Boney QC remanded Parkinson in custody and adjourned the case until a sentencing hearing for manslaughter on May 4.