Woman who killed former friend in Great Yarmouth jailed

The 55-year-old, of Marlborough Square in the town, was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiring to pervert the course of justice last month.

Her accomplice Adrian Lawrence, aged 53 and of South Market Road, was also found guilty of the latter offence.

It follows the death of 60-year-old Linda Rainey in hospital on 7th August 2019, two days after being pushed down some stairs.

The court heard the ambulance service was called to Lawrence's home on 5th August 2019 to reports that Linda that Linda had fallen.

Three days after her death, on 10th August, police received a call from a woman who had been drinking with Linda, Gray and Lawrence on the night she was injured.

She stated that she witnessed Gray push Linda down the stairs following an argument.

A murder investigation was launched and it emerged Gray and Lawrence had told the witness to hide in a room while the ambulance service attended as she couldn't be trusted to stay quiet.

The duo then threatened the witness to keep quiet at a later meeting, but she found the courage to contact police after Linda's death.

Gray was sentenced yesterday, 10th September, to a 17 year extended license, of which she will serve 13 in prison, and Lawrence was jailed for 38 months.

Speaking after the outcome, Detective Inspector Mike Brown said: "Today’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of Rosalind Gray and Adrian Lawrence’s actions that night and in the days following Linda’s death.

"I would like to thank the witness for their bravery and assistance throughout our investigation and during the trial. Without their honest and consistent account of the circumstances leading up to, and during the days after the incident, we may not have ever known the truth behind Linda’s untimely and tragic death.

"While Linda’s family have seen justice, nothing can make up for their loss and I can only hope today’s sentence will go some way in helping them during this difficult time."