Today's most viewed
| SWAP SHOPPER |  | | | YOUTH WRITERS | | | | RETRO | | | | | PRODUCT REVIEWS | | |
|
|
|
Domestic abuse victim killed by girlfriend
 |
| Stabbed: Nicholas Venn |
A MOTHER-OF-TWO who stabbed her music producer boyfriend to death after subjecting him to years of domestic abuse has been jailed.
Gaillene Young, of Bardsley Lane, Greenwich, killed 35-year-old Nicholas Venn, who was a close friend of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, during a row at their home.
The Old Bailey heard how his promising career, which included work with Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood, came to a horrific end following an eight-year stormy relationship with 36-year-old Young.
When he died on September 3 last year, Mr Venn had his arm in plaster following an unrelated stabbing in the street.
Early in the morning Young left a series of answerphone messages with Mr Venn's mother Sheila.
Mr Venn could be heard in the background saying "It's all right Gail, it's all right", to which Young shouted back "No it's not all right".
Minutes later she knocked on a neighbour's door saying her partner was dead.
He was found sitting on the toilet with a single stab wound to his chest and said "I'm dying, help me".
Paramedics arrived and took him to hospital but he died later that morning.
The court heard how at the hospital Young tried to hug her victim while he was being resuscitated.
However, she was later heard on the phone saying: "I'm not going to take the blame for this."
Psychiatrists later diagnosed her as suffering from a pervasive personality disorder due to a dysfunctional childhood.
She pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.
In a statement to the court, Mr Venn's mother said her son had suffered years of physical and mental abuse.
She said: "I think it is important to mention that unfortunately the belief among some is that men cannot be the victim of domestic violence."
Judge Christopher Moss gave Young an indeterminate sentence today (Oct 3) and said she must serve at least four years.
He added: "It is agreed you do not need treatment in hospital under the terms of the Mental Health Act. Plainly you must go to prison for your crime."
4:23pm Friday 3rd October 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: The Real Me, Here on 4:35pm Fri 3 Oct 08
4 years?
If it was the other way round and a man had killed his wife/partner he would be done for murder and get a lot longer than that!
As Lemar once said. Is there any justice in the world?
4 years?
If it was the other way round and a man had killed his wife/partner he would be done for murder and get a lot longer than that!
As Lemar once said. Is there any justice in the world?
Posted by: Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott The Executioner, The Condemned Cell on 4:39pm Fri 3 Oct 08
Where's that rope?
Ah, here it is.
[bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold]
Where's that rope?
Ah, here it is.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott Posted by: mr me, kent on 6:56pm Fri 3 Oct 08
well said the real me come on ladys equall rights thats what you always wanted give her life just like a man[quote]quote[/quote]
well said the real me come on ladys equall rights thats what you always wanted give her life just like a man
quote
Posted by: me again on 7:19pm Fri 3 Oct 08
what a disgusting sentance for the life of a young man in his prime ! this evil **** should never see the light of freedom again.
as for sexual equality...get real, women want the same pay as us and the same rights but still want preferential treatment, why should the lady tennis stars get the same prize money as the men when they dont play anywhere near as many games ? sexual equality ? its because of women burning their bras and leaving the kids home alone that society is in the state its in ! It all went down hill from the day they got the vote.
what a disgusting sentance for the life of a young man in his prime ! this evil **** should never see the light of freedom again.
as for sexual equality...get real, women want the same pay as us and the same rights but still want preferential treatment, why should the lady tennis stars get the same prize money as the men when they dont play anywhere near as many games ? sexual equality ? its because of women burning their bras and leaving the kids home alone that society is in the state its in ! It all went down hill from the day they got the vote.
Posted by: South East, South East on 8:10am Sat 4 Oct 08
This women deserves a life sentence she committed murder and clearly is not safe to be on how streets. Where is the justice. Yes man can be victims of domestic violence it is not that uncommon. Many cases go unreported to the police for action to be taken. Perhaps this case proves men should report domestic violence to the police.
This women deserves a life sentence she committed murder and clearly is not safe to be on how streets. Where is the justice. Yes man can be victims of domestic violence it is not that uncommon. Many cases go unreported to the police for action to be taken. Perhaps this case proves men should report domestic violence to the police.
Posted by: Me on 10:42am Sat 4 Oct 08
4yrs ? That is terrible
I watched 2 programmes last night
the first a man got 10yrs for an attempted armed robbery (the robbery never actually happened), the second a man got 8yrs for breaking into a house and stabbing a women 10 times in front of her children !!
WHAT IS GOING WRONG WITH OUR COURTS !
4yrs ? That is terrible
I watched 2 programmes last night
the first a man got 10yrs for an attempted armed robbery (the robbery never actually happened), the second a man got 8yrs for breaking into a house and stabbing a women 10 times in front of her children !!
WHAT IS GOING WRONG WITH OUR COURTS !
Posted by: Drew, Dartford on 6:04pm Sat 4 Oct 08
Shouln't we have mandatory sentences for crimes commited, and take away the judges right to hand out ridiculous sentences?
I.E. Murder=Life
Rape=20yrs repeat offence (life) so on and so on?
Shouln't we have mandatory sentences for crimes commited, and take away the judges right to hand out ridiculous sentences?
I.E. Murder=Life
Rape=20yrs repeat offence (life) so on and so on?
Posted by: Mrs B, london on 9:56pm Sun 5 Oct 08
THIS IS DISGUSTING IT REALLY IS. 4 YEARS??? IS THAT IT, THIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS OUT OF CONTROL.
THIS IS DISGUSTING IT REALLY IS. 4 YEARS??? IS THAT IT, THIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS OUT OF CONTROL.
Posted by: ClockWatcher, Welling on 10:45am Mon 6 Oct 08
I agree with a lot of points raised.
Mandatory sentances are an excellent idea, and equal punishment for men and women.
It seems as thought the world has lost it's moral backbone. None of these people think twice about taking a life......why is that?
Where is society going wrong?
Is it the parents?
or maybe its the government for being too soft?
Something has to change!
I was threatened because I asked a man to put a lead on his dog. My son is terrified of dogs and when I spoke to the man he became very aggressive and verbally abusive. I stood my ground and would not be intimidated by this person, he tried every form of threat he had, from beating me and my son, to 'cutting me up'.
I remember when the British were know for being a polite society.
I agree with a lot of points raised.
Mandatory sentances are an excellent idea, and equal punishment for men and women.
It seems as thought the world has lost it's moral backbone. None of these people think twice about taking a life......why is that?
Where is society going wrong?
Is it the parents?
or maybe its the government for being too soft?
Something has to change!
I was threatened because I asked a man to put a lead on his dog. My son is terrified of dogs and when I spoke to the man he became very aggressive and verbally abusive. I stood my ground and would not be intimidated by this person, he tried every form of threat he had, from beating me and my son, to 'cutting me up'.
I remember when the British were know for being a polite society.
Posted by: Rob on 1:15pm Mon 6 Oct 08
Why aren't you showing a photo of Gaillene Young ?
Why aren't you showing a photo of Gaillene Young ?
Posted by: Lotta, Penge on 1:15pm Mon 6 Oct 08
Evil ****!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
