A NURSE has been jailed for stabbing her husband to death as he slept beside her.
Rebecca Searing, 52, brutally murdered her husband Paul, 57, moments after writing " it's time to kill" on her computer.
She stabbed Paul in his stomach as he slept at home in Harlow, Essex, before calling 999 in a panic.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Searing could not be saved.
Searing was found guilty of his murder and has today been jailed for life – with a minimum term of 17 years.
When cops arrived at the Searings' home after the attack on February 12, they found the wife sitting next to a computer downstairs.
She told the officers “I can’t believe I’ve just done this” and “I will go down for this”.
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A bloodstained knife was also found in the house.
On probing her computer, cops found the words "make your mind up if it's time to kill" written in a chilling piece of evidence.
When in custody, Searing told a cop: "I am gonna get 25 years for this, aren’t I?"
The couple had suffered through an unhealthy, toxic marriage, Chelmsford Crown Court was told.
Both Searing and her husband drank heavily – and both abused the other, it was claimed.
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Searing said she had been suffering from domestic abuse every month – and Covid lockdown made it worse.
Judge Christopher Morgan dubbed the couple's relationship "unhappy".
Searing, dressed in a maroon long-sleeve T-shirt, showed no emotion as she was convicted of murder.
She had previously admitted manslaughter but denied murder, claiming that she had lost control at the time.
Searing had told the court: "The last thing I recall is Paul saying I'm hopeless and useless.
KILLER NURSE
"I don't recall calling 999, I don't recall stabbing him and I don't recall any argument or me feeling scared."
However, a paramedic reported hearing Searing say "I just took my chance".
Concluding the trial, Judge Christopher Morgan said to her: "The jury have convicted you of the offence of murder.
"You know that there is only one sentence that I can pass in those circumstances.
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"The consideration for the court is the minimum term before you're considered for release. The sentencing will be on September 7."
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Lydia George said: "My thoughts are with the family and loved ones at this time.
"While this does not bring Paul back, I hope that today’s sentence can provide his family with some justice and they can begin to re-build their lives.
"Rebecca Searing took Paul’s life in a moment of extreme violence.
"This case highlights how quickly incidents of domestic violence can escalate and how serious the consequences can be.
"Rebecca Searing now has a significant amount of time in prison to reflect on her actions."
How you can get help
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
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