Annette Louise Ruth Hancock sentenced following stabbing murder of partner Benjamin Harris

A Tasmanian woman will spend years in prison after being found guilty of the stabbing death of her partner during a heated argument inside his Hobart home three years ago. The latest from court.

Police at the scene in Harrington Street where there was a suspicious death overnight. Picture: Chris Kidd

A Tasmanian woman has been sentenced to 19 years in prison after being found guilty of the stabbing death of her partner during a heated argument inside his Hobart home three years ago.

Annette Louise Ruth Hancock, 56, was found guilty in December last year by a Supreme Court jury after pleading not guilty to killing her partner of three years, 51-year-old Benjamin Harris, at his Harrington Street social housing complex on the night of March 9, 2022.

On Tuesday, Justice Helen Wood sentenced Hancock for the incident she called an “impulsive act” done by Hancock in a “highly emotional state”.

Police at the scene in Harrington Street where there was a suspicious death overnight. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Her actions were immediately regretted, and her actions of killing her partner bring their own grief and guilt,” Justice Wood said.

“Nevertheless, the needless loss of life must be reflected in the sentence.”

Justice Wood accepted that the couple had been drinking heavily on the day of the incident, and had engaged in a verbal altercation after Mr Harris admitted to being unfaithful while Hancock was incarcerated.

“These comments were a catalyst for conflict,” Justice Wood stated.

“While their relationship continued and they remained in each other’s company, they made hurtful and antagonistic comments to each other.

“Such conflict and antagonism was present before March 9.”

Police at the scene in Harrington Street where there was a suspicious death overnight. Picture: Chris Kidd

In her sentencing remarks, Justice Wood also highlighted Hancock’s “highly intoxicated” state during the incident and her history of alcohol abuse and addiction, stating it was not in mitigation of the sentence.

She also detailed that a psychiatric report given after sentencing detailed that her “longstanding mental health concerns” did not reduce her moral culpability for the murder.

“Teh defendant’s attempts at rehabilitation while in custody have been noted,” Justice Wood said.

“The defendant continues to pursue contact with her estranged children.

She has maintained contact with her parents and in speaking with her parents, she has acknowledged past deficiencies, particularly in relation to alcohol.”

The court was told Hancock subsequently armed herself with a knife and stabbed Mr Harris in the back, with the wound puncturing his lung and causing cardiac arrest due to blood loss.

Justice Wood also referenced Hancock’s criminal history, including family violence offences and breaching a family violence order involving the victim when the murder occurred.

“There was a pattern of her breaching the condition,” she said.

Police at the scene in Harrington Street where there was a suspicious death overnight. Picture: Chris Kidd

“This continued with Mr Harris permitting her to stay, which was violated the conditions of the order.”

Justice Wood accepted the submission by Hancock’s defence counsel, Kim Baumeler, that her client had effectively been homeless when she was released from prison, and had been relying on Mr Harris for accommodation at the time of the offence.

Justice Wood sentenced Hancock to 19 years in prison, backdated to March 10 2022.

She ordered that Hancock not be eligible for parole until she has served 10 years and that the conviction be recorded as a family violence offence.

Originally published as Annette Louise Ruth Hancock sentenced following stabbing murder of partner Benjamin Harris