14 years in prison for man who stabbed his girlfriend in the chest

A MAN has been jailed for stabbing his girlfriend in the chest at his home in Crowthorne.

Michael Rough, 55, admitted killing his partner Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Pattenden on Sunday, October 2 last year at his address in Ellis Road.

He denied murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

Shortly before 11.30pm on October 2, police received a call from Rough stating that he had stabbed his girlfriend, that she had died and he was going to kill himself.

Officers attended the property and were let in by Rough. They went upstairs and found Ms Pattenden unresponsive in a bedroom, where she died a short time later.

A post-mortem determined that she died from a stab wound to the chest.

Mr Rough sustained selfinflicted injuries and was arrested at the scene. He was charged with murder on October 11. However, the prosecution accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Ailsa Kent, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime unit, said: “Michael Rough and Jackie had been involved in a relationship since the beginning of the year which appeared to those who knew them to be happy with no suggestion of violence or arguments between them. However after reporting feeling depressed and stressed over work, on the evening of 2 October Rough stabbed and killed his partner Jackie.

“I hope [Tuesday’s] sentencing will enable those who knew and loved Jackie to have a sense of closure and be able to move on from this utterly tragic time in their lives.”

Claire Beards, Senior Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “Mr Rough pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Manslaughter by diminished responsibility is a partial defence to murder, which is only established if there is medical evidence that a defendant was suffering from an abnormality of mind that substantially impaired their responsibility for their actions.

“When Mr Rough indicated a guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, we instructed an eminent psychiatrist to fully assess him. Only when he too reached the conclusion that Mr Rough was suffering from a mental health condition, that would have substantially reduced his responsibility, did the prosecution team accept the plea offered.

“This case represents a tragedy for Jackie’s family and friends, who have been devastated by her death. We know that nothing will bring Jackie back to her family and friends, but we hope that the conviction and [Tuesday’s] sentence brings them at least a small sense that justice has been done. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.”

Sentencing Rough at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge John Reddihough said he was satisfied that the evidence given by two leading psychiatrists showed that while Mr Rough was suffering from moderate depression, for which he had been prescribed anti-depressants two months earlier, he was aware of what he was doing, and that his ability to call the emergency services immediately after the stabbing showed the condition of his mental state.

He said: “The defendant was able to tell the police what had happened, that he had gone downstairs, picked up a knife and a length of wood, and taken it upstairs to where Ms Pattenden was sleeping.

“He woke her and cornered her in the bedroom, and was able to describe the look of terror in her eyes, and the way she pleaded with him not to hurt her.

“I don’t believe this was premeditated, but the fact that he picked up a weapon is important. It wasn’t a frenzied attack, fuelled by anger, but something had obviously triggered this reaction.

“What took place was an utter tragedy, and no sentence imposed by this court will change the outcome for Ms Pattenden’s friends and family, who have shown such dignity throughout these proceedings.

“The impact statements from them was very painful reading, and they now have to live with what the defendant has done for the rest of their lives.”

Michael Rough was sentenced to 14 years in prison, with a three year extended licence upon his release.

The judge said he must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before being considered for release.