Man sentenced for manslaughter of wife in St Helens
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A man has been jailed for six years for the manslaughter of his wife in St Helens last year.
On the morning of 15 November 2023, a woman was found unresponsive inside a house in Cannon Street in Clock Face.
Paramedics attended but sadly 62-year-old Dawn Robertson was pronounced deceased.
Detectives charged Stuart Robertson, of Cannon Street, with her murder.
However, 69-year-old Robertson pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and he went on trial for her murder at Liverpool Crown Court.
Yesterday, Wednesday 22 May, a jury found him not guilty of murder.
Today, Thursday 23 May, he was sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter.
Superintendent Allison Woods said: “Our sincere condolences go to Mrs Robertson’s family who have been supported by our specially trained officers following this tragic incident.
“It has been heart-breaking for them to relive her final moments during this trial, and where they have essentially lost both parents as a result of that fateful day.”
Superintendent Woods added: “Domestic abuse is a complex issue and can take many forms. It can be psychological, financial, sexual, emotional and physical and we want to raise awareness of the support that is available to anyone who is or has experienced domestic abuse or has been affected by it so that nobody else has to suffer or in silence or go through what they have been through.
“We work closely with local domestic support organisations, local authorities, safeguarding teams and charities to ensure that services and ongoing support are available, including access to refuges.
“We have a number of specialist departments within the police to investigate these crimes but it’s important that we all work together to support survivors and collectively work to prevent these crimes occurring in the first place by raising awareness.”
Domestic abuse isn’t just physical – it can be emotional, sexual, financial or controlling behaviour. It can happen to anyone, regardless of gender. Some of the signs of domestic abuse, such as physical marks, may be easy to identify but others may be things you can easily explain away or overlook.
Often victims are either in a relationship with the perpetrator or have been historically, it can therefore be very hard for them to report what has been going on. They might still love their abuser, feel loyal to them, are protecting their children or are simply living in fear.
Merseyside Police is determined to break that cycle of abuse where perpetrators continue to commit crime after crime against their victim thinking that every time they do, they are less likely to get caught.
Please talk to us or the partners we work with if you are a victim of domestic abuse, so we can protect you or anyone that does come forward and take decisive action against abusers. Together we can help you overcome any cycle of domestic abuse.”
You can read more about the signs of domestic abuse or make a report online
You can report by calling 101, if you are not in an emergency situation.
If you are in immediate danger, always call 999.
If you ring 999 and are not in a safe position to speak to us then cough or tap the phone and press 55, when prompted. This will alert the operator that you need assistance.
For more information please contact any of our support organisations via: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/support-organisations/
Help and advice is also available via https://safe2speak.co.uk/