A MOTHER of five sobbed as she was jailed for two years today for killing her husband.

And the court heard how the family of Anne-Marie Hayward's husband have forgiven her for stabbing him to death - writing "poignant" letters as court references for her.

Armed with a carving knife, 52-year-old Hayward stabbed her husband John in the chest after a drinking session in the early hours of November 26.

The court heard that when she realised what she had done she telephoned for an ambulance and later told the police: "I stabbed him. What have I done?"

She added: "I've killed him. I have to live with this for the rest of my life and I don't believe I have done this terrible thing."

She said she had only wanted to frighten him and stop him from pushing her.

Hayward, a security officer with the Newport county borough council, of Llanthewy Road, Newport, pleaded not guilty to murdering her husband, but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. This plea was accepted by the prosecution.

The judge, Mr Justice Thomas, told the defendant: "Last November in circumstances no one will ever fully know, you killed your husband of 31 years by a single stab wound which penetrated his lung and heart, inflicted by a carving knife.

"You immediately telephoned for an ambulance and from that moment accepted responsibility."

He said it was clear their relationship had deteriorated, partially through drinking and there had been some incidents of violence but she in no way regarded herself as a battered wife.

After drinking, she feared violence or bullying upon returning home. "I accept you picked up the knife intending to frighten him. What then happened, no one will ever know."

He said he believed she was suffering from stress and the effect of what happened on her family had been devastating.

The judge added: "A sentence must contain an element of punishment and I have come to the sad conclusion that I must pass a custodial sentence."