Killer wins cut in 22-year jail term

Bernadette Watt — four years off her sentence

A WOMAN who stabbed her uncle to death after he confessed to molesting her late sister has had her sentenced reduced.

The Court of Appeal yesterday cut Bernadette Watt’s minimum term for killing Peter Watt from 22 to 18 years.

Watt (29) of Swift Court, Sholver, attacked her uncle with a kitchen knife last November after learning he had sexually abused her sister, Michelle, when she was 16, 12 years earlier

Fuelled by drink and drugs, she extracted a confession from “Pervy Pete”, as family members had nicknamed him.

She then struck the 48-year-old alcoholic several times, kicked him in the head and finally killed him with a knife blow to the chest. Then she admitted what she had done, and why, by shouting out of a window. She was convicted of murder at Manchester Crown Court in April.

Watt’s lawyer, Kim Hollis QC, argued the killer had received a “manifestly excessive” sentence.

“She always suspected her sister Michelle was being sexually assaulted. It is submitted that she behaved with a misguided sense of loyalty,” Miss Hollis said.

Lord Justice Fulford said Watt’s trial judge had incorrectly treated her previous convictions and defence case as serious aggravating features. Watt appeared elated as the judgement was pronounced.

Her sister, Michelle, died aged 27 after a long battle with alcoholism in March, 2012.