Lincoln woman jailed for ‘horror film’ Halloween knife attack on own mum
A neighbour described hearing screaming “like from a horror film”
Fiona Lewis was given a jail sentence of four years and four months imprisonment and will have to serve a further three years on licence after her release from custody. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
A mentally ill Lincoln woman who carried out a “terrifying” attack on her own mother after arming herself with a carving knife has today (Friday) been given a seven year extended sentence by a judge.
Fiona Lewis, 41, attacked Lilette Lewis, 71, at the pensioner’s home in Laughton Way, Lincoln, after forming a delusional belief that her mother was having a relationship with her ex-boyfriend.
Lincoln Crown Court heard Lilette Lewis spent 11 days in hospital after suffering deep lacerations to her hands as she tried to fight her daughter off at the top of the stairs.
Police were called to the property shortly after 9pm on October 31, 2020, after a neighbour described hearing screaming “like from a horror film,” the court was told.
Officers found the front door locked and discovered both women covered in blood after they broke it down. The house phone had also been unplugged.
Anwar Nashashibi, prosecuting, said what had taken place was a terrifying and blood soaked attack with a carving knife, a set of step ladders and a stool.
The court heard Fiona Lewis had been staying with her mother for two to three weeks after splitting with her boyfriend.
Mr Nashashibi said Fiona Lewis had a history of mental health problems and formed a misplaced delusion that her mother was having a relationship with her ex-partner.
On the day of the attack Fiona Lewis discovered there had been an exchange of messages between her mother and her former boyfriend which were actually discussing their concerns over her deteriorating mental health.
Mr Nashashibi said Fiona Lewis took her mother’s phone after confronting her upstairs and then went back downstairs where she picked up the knife.
The court was told Lilette Lewis came to the top of the stairs and saw her daughter holding a yellow handled ten inch kitchen knife.
Mr Nashashibi said Fiona Lewis came up the stairs and sat astride her mother while trying to stab her with the knife, pushing it down towards her abdomen.
Lilette Lewis suffered deep lacerations to her hands, including a near amputation of her thumb, as she grabbed the blade in self defence, and told her daughter: “I’m not going to die like this.”
When the knife slipped free Fiona Lewis tried to strangle her mother, and then continued the attack downstairs by ramming Lilette Lewis with a step ladder and swinging at her with a stool.
The court was told Fiona Lewis had a long history of mental health problems and had previously been detained under the Mental Health Act.
She had been diagnosed with a number of mental health disorders including paranoid personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.
In a victim impact statement made in December 2020 Lilette Lewis admitted: “I feel such mixed emotions about what happened and what Fiona did to me.”
“As her mother I feel conflicted,” she added. “Even though she did what she did, she’s still my daughter.”
The court heard Lilette Lewis still suffers from nightmares and the injuries to her hands.
Stephen Kemp, mitigating, said it was clear that Fiona Lewis was suffering from mental health problems in the run up to her offending.
Mr Kemp told the court Fiona Lewis had been drinking alcohol on the day of the attack but there was evidence this was not a significant quantity.
She also had no previous convictions.
Fiona Lewis, formerly of Reynolds House, Turner Avenue, Lincoln, admitted wounding Lillette Lewis with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm on October 31, 2020.
Passing sentence Judge Simon Hirst said while he accepted Fiona Lewis had been diagnosed with several mental disorders, it was also clear that immediately afterwards she was fully aware she had done wrong.
The judge told Fiona Lewis: “You pushed your mother to the floor and sat astride her, trying to stab her.”
“The knife slipped out of your hand because it was slippery with blood,” Judge Hirst addded. “You then tried to strangle your mum.”
Lewis was given a jail sentence of four years and four months imprisonment and will have to serve a further three years on licence after her release from custody making a total extended sentence of seven years and four months.
Judge Hirst also made a restraining order which prevents Fiona Lewis having any future contact with her mother.
The judge told her: “You appear to have little remorse.”
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A family-run jewellers with more than 50 years’ experience is relocating from Newark to open in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter next week.
Smiths The Jewellers was based on Balderton Gate in Newark for 18 years, but it will now move into the unit previously occupied by Oxfam at 26-27 Sincil Street.
The new shop will open at 10am on Saturday, June 4 and the business has collaborated with Chambers Florists, also of the Cornhill Quarter, to do a jubilee themed window display.
Smiths The Jewellers is a traditional family-run business selling a wide range of jewellery, both new and pre-owned, as well as buying unwanted and broken jewellery. The shop will also offer services such as repairs, alterations and valuations.
The four employees will move over to the new shop and two new jobs have also been created.
Business owner Sonya Smith is the third generation of a family of jewellers and she told The Lincolnite: “We had some amazing customers in Newark, and also who travelled from Lincoln. We are excited to be opening in Lincoln.
“The Cornhill Quarter is vibrant and such a nice place to be and will allow us to expand. We are a great family business with a lot of loyal followers.”
The trial of a Skegness woman who denies causing the death of Nottingham Trent University student Hope Starsmore by dangerous driving has been put back until next year.
Rebecca Porter, 33, of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, was due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27. Her trial was expected to last four days.
However a pre-trial hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was today (Friday) told more time is needed to gather evidence from expert witnesses.
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Ms Porter her trial would now be listed at Lincoln Crown Court on April 17 next year.
Granting Ms Porter unconditional bail Judge Sjolin Knight explained to her: “Unfortunately there is very little realistic prospect of this trial being ready for June 27.
“I know that is difficult for you. I am sure it is also difficult for the family of the lady who was killed.”
At a previous hearing in October last year Porter pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Ms Starsmore on October 7, 2020 by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Ms Starsmore was rushed to hospital after a collision in Skegness Road, Burgh le Marsh, at around 8.15am on Wednesday, October 7.
Despite multiple operations, doctors were unable to save her and she died eight days after the crash.
Ms Starsmore had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic.
Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study. She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week.
She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and received minor injuries.
Despite having moved to the Lincolnshire seaside, Hope had grown up in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Porter will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27 for a further pre-trial hearing.