Essex woman found guilty of murdering ex-partner
It happened on New Year's Day 2021
Last updated 20th Jan 2022
A woman has been found guilty of murdering a man in Rayleigh in the early hours of New Year's Day last year.
24 year old Hannah Sindrey was found guilty of fatally stabbing 31 year old Paul Fletcher during an argument at a flat in Rayleigh.
Witnesses reported seeing Sindrey, of Worcester Drive, waving a kitchen knife at her former partner, and moments later he'd fallen to the ground, having been stabbed in the chest.
He died at the scene.
After almost 14 hours of deliberations, a jury at Basildon Crown Court today (January 20) found Sindrey guilty of murder.
She will be sentenced at the same court tomorrow.
A 26 year old woman from Southend has been cleared of all charges.
In a statement, Mr Fletcher’s family said:
“Our family have been devastated and are heartbroken following the death of Paul ‘Dod’ Fletcher.
"On the fateful night that his life ended, it destroyed so many other lives as well.
"Dod was a big part of everyone’s life. He was loved deeply by our family. He was a son, brother and father. His death has left us broken.
"We would like to thank the ambulance service for their efforts on the night Dod died. We also want to thank the detectives involved in the investigation for all their hard work, in particular, the support and understanding of our family liaison officer.”
Senior investigating officer Julie Gowen, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, added:
“This has been a challenging and intensive investigation as my team tirelessly pieced together the hours and minutes which led up to the death of Mr Fletcher in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
"Sindrey’s actions have not only destroyed the lives of Paul’s family and friends, but also her own family.
"Today’s outcome can never bring Paul back, but I hope it can bring his family some justice, and can give them some peace to allow them to move forward with their lives.”