A Belfast woman who was the victim of prolonged domestic violence by her partner has been sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison for murdering him as he slept.
Julianne McIlwaine, of Hazel Close, stabbed James Joseph Crossley ten times at her former home in west Belfast in March 2022.
The 34-year-old was found guilty of murdering her partner by a jury last October and today was told she must spend 12 years in prison before being considered for release.
Following the jury's verdict then, the judge had told McIlwaine that, once reports had been gathered, he would "hold a tariff hearing" where a minimum prison term would be set before she can be considered for release.
Belfast Crown Court was today told that McIlwaine killed 38-year-old James Joseph Crossley in a brutal and savage attack, stabbing him ten times in his bed.
She wept in the dock as the judge outlined the background to the case.
Mr Justice Kinney said it was not possible to consider what had happened without considering the toxic relationship between the pair.
He told the court it was not in dispute that McIlwaine had been the victim of significant domestic abuse and violence at the hands of the deceased.
At the time, James Crossley was subject to a restraining order banning contact with her and was on bail charged with a violent assault on her the year before he was killed.
The couple had been living together secretly without the knowledge of their families, lawyers or police.
The judge said he was satisfied that at the time of the killing, the defendant had suffered an acute stress reaction and had been provoked "by the prolonged abusive behaviour of the deceased".
However, Mr Justice Kinney added that there could never be justification for the murder of an abusive partner or anyone else.
He sentenced McIlwaine to 12 years in prison, the minimum tariff for murder permitted under Northern Ireland's sentencing guidelines.
Relatives and friends of McIlwaine were in court, some wearing T-shirts calling for an end to domestic violence.
Speaking outside the court, PSNI Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said in was an extremely difficult case involving two people "in a mutually abusive relationship".
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"Working in partnership with the Public Prosecution Service, the defendant has today been held accountable," she added.
"It remains, however, a tragic case which leaves so many family members, including children, totally heartbroken. There are no winners here. Only sorrow prevails.
"It's a sad reminder that no one should ever take the law into their own hands, and I want to appeal to anyone, irrespective of gender or background, who is experiencing, or has experienced, domestic abuse to please speak to us.
"We know that domestic abuse can take many forms, from coercive control to physical abuse. Whatever your circumstances, I promise that we will listen to you, and we will support you. Please contact us on 101," Detective Inspector Griffin said.
