Woman guilty of killing husband

3 April 2012, 16:37 | Updated: 3 April 2012, 17:14

A 29 year old woman from Margate has been sentenced to life in prison for killing her ex husband.

Janice Carter will serve a minimum term of 12 years for the murder of her ex-husband in a crime the judge described as 'self-defence which turned into an attack'.

Following a 2-week trial at Canterbury Crown Court, the jury returned a majority guilty verdict on Janice Carter, formerly of Sweyn Road, Margate, who was found guilty of murdering her ex-husband Kevin Carter in October 2011.

During the course of the trial the court had heard how police had been called to the address in Sweyn Road, Margate just after 9pm on Friday 14 October 2011. 

On the day of the murder Kevin Carter had just been released from prison for driving offences. Janice Carter admitted stabbing him but claimed that she had only done so in self-defence.

Detective Inspector Trevor Fleming from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate led the murder investigation and said of the conviction today:

"This was a tragic case where a volatile situation turned violent and Kevin Carter lost his life and a family was destroyed. Whatever happened that night between Janice and Kevin Carter could never justify stabbing someone 19 times with a kitchen knife. I am glad the judge and jury recognised the seriousness of this crime and that Janice Carter will spend a lengthy time behind bars.

"Kent Police always encourages victims of domestic abuse to come forward and not suffer in silence or take the law into their own hands. Victims reporting incidents to Kent Police will be taken seriously and treated with respect and given the necessary support and advice."