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Grieving mum turned killer

7/ 5/2008

A YOUNG mum was turned into a drunken killer when her life was wrecked by the catastrophic cot death of her four-month-old son.

Amanda O’ Leary and her bricklayer boyfriend Wayne Lawrence were a happy couple before the tragedy.

They began living together in 2003 and their lives were complete when first and only child Ryan was born in February 2006.

But after Ryan died the couple began drinking and were involved in several violent rows which ended when she stabbed Mr Lawrence to death at their home on Edward Street, Audenshaw.

O’Leary, 27, who tried to kill herself three times after her son’s death, is starting a four-year jail term after admitting the manslaughter of her partner on the grounds of provocation.

Manchester Crown Court heard that O’Leary, who had been left battered and bruised in the days leading up to the stabbing, finally lost control and plunged a kitchen knife into 33-year-old Mr Lawrence’s side. She was four times over the drink drive limit at the time.

The defendant, who once studied criminology at university, was told by Mrs Justice Rafferty at Manchester Crown court: "On 6 October, 2007 many lives were broken. That of Wayne Lawrence ended, his family began the agony often described as a living death; your parents, who had such high hopes of you, face years of inner conflict and pain."

Mrs Rafferty pointed out that the life the couple had lived had put the defendant in a "weakened position" and led to her "losing mastery" of herself. She said she hoped Mr Lawrence’s family had not seen the photographs of the serious injuries he inflicted on her.

However, she said it was the loss of Ryan which led to the killing.

"No one who has not seen their child lying dead in a hospital bed has the slightest conception of the stripping of the soul which then begins."

The judge heard statements made by Mr Lawrence’s father, Peter and two brothers, Daniel and James which revealed the devastating impact the killing had on his family

"Hasn’t he gone through enough with his life, losing his mother when he was eight", said Mr Lawrence. "He didn’t deserve to die like this."

Daniel Lawrence said the first time he was able to go and see his brother’s grave was after the headstone was put up.

" I found it difficult to look at the headstone," he said. "Wayne was buried with my mum and to look at the two names together was extremely difficult."

The youngest brother, James, said he still cannot look at pictures of Waynem who helped to look after him following their mother’s death.

"Just knowing he isn’t there and that I won’t be able to speak to him again cripples me", he added.