Woman who stabbed husband said she had ‘taken so much abuse’, court hears

Penelope Jackson, 66, is accused of murdering her husband in the kitchen of their Somerset bungalow

A woman who stabbed her husband to death left a note saying she had taken so much abuse over the years" and that she accepted her punishment", a court has heard.

Penelope Jackson, 66, is accused of murdering her husband of 24 years, the retired army lieutenant colonel David Jackson, in the kitchen of their bungalow on 13 February, Bristol crown court heard. She admits manslaughter but denies murder.

In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org