Murder trial begins after woman admits killing partner

A woman has appeared for trial at Coleraine Courthouse accused of murdering her partner.

James Crossley was stabbed seven times in the chest on the night of 22 March 2022.

Julie Ann McIlwaine, 33, of Hazel Close in Lagmore, west Belfast denies murdering her partner.

At a previous court hearing she admitted causing the fatal injuries but is denying murder.

The jury was told they would hear how Ms McIlwaine would say that this was a “turbulent” relationship that involved domestic abuse.

The court was played the recording of the 999 call Julie Ann McIlwaine made after stabbing her partner.

Julie Ann McIlwaine told the emergency call handler that she locked herself in the downstairs bathroom with her baby and that she had stabbed her partner.

The court heard how the recording captured Ms McIlwaine saying “he’s dead, he’s dead” in relation to her partner James Crossley and saying that she’d “stabbed him at least six times” while he was sleeping.

During the recording the court heard the emergency medical dispatcher tell Ms McIlwaine to go to a neighbour with her baby to get help.

The tape continued as the dispatcher guided the neighbour to check on Mr Crossley and the arrival of the PSNI.

The call ended when the ambulance service arrived.

The jury was told they will be shown body camera footage of the interaction the police had with Ms McIlwaine on the night of the murder.

Mr Crossley was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital but died a short time later.

His cause of death was given as “seven stab wounds to the chest and abdomen” and he had further wounds to his arms and legs.

A police expert told the court that a knife – believed to be the murder weapon – was found beside the bed.

The jury was also shown photographic evidence of the crime scene showing blood stains.

The trial continues.