Wife killer convicted

Date published: 03 September 2015


AN Alt man who stabbed his wife in the chest and heart after drinking “barrel loads” of alcohol has been found guilty of her murder.

Frances Cleary-Senior’s family cried as a jury at Manchester Crown Court swiftly returned a unanimous verdict on her husband Graham (56) of Alt Avenue, under the “most powerful evidence”.

Frances (49) returned home from work not knowing where her husband was, and when he arrived a row erupted over his alcoholism and their £27,000 debt. He grabbed a kitchen knife and after goading from his wife, stabbed her once in the chest, left the knife there and handed her a towel.

Frances was left to call emergency services herself while her husand slimped drunkenly in a chair.

While she recovered afte emergency surgery, she developed complications in hospital and died almost a month after the stabbing..

A family statement after the verdict said: “Frances’s family and friends are sad and devastated at the loss of their friend and sister. Her 90-year-old mum was inconsolable when she discovered her daughter was dead.”

After his arrest, Cleary-Senior was placed in a police car and launched a tirade of abuse at the officers. He told police she had wound him up.

His solicitor told the court: “He doesn’t underestimate the agony he has caused her friends and family. His sorrow for what he has done is real and he now sees the consequences through clear eyes.”

He is due to be sentenced today.