A jealous girlfriend fatally stabbed her lover dur

A jealous girlfriend fatally stabbed her lover during a violent argument over other women, a court heard today.

Joanne Cole, 32, knifed boyfriend Patrick Hemmings in the heart after a fight at his flat in Upper Clapton Road in May last year.

She also bit Mr Hemmings as the row escalated out of control, the court heard.

The 35-year-old staggered into the downstairs shop to call police after his lover fled the scene, an Old Bailey jury heard.

An air ambulance crew raced to the scene and carried out emergency surgery as the drama unfolded.

But tragically Mr Hemmings died three days later in hospital as a result of the single stab wound.

Opening the case, Victor Temple QC told the jury that according to passers-by Cole appeared angry as she entered the flat in the late afternoon of May 3 last year.

‘There were only the two of them in the flat but it was not long before a violent argument broke out during which items of property were damaged or displaced,’ said Mr Temple.

‘The defendant accepts that as a argument developed she stabbed Patrick Hemmings with a kitchen knife.

‘It was a single blow to the heart which directly led to his death some three days later.

‘Such was it’s severity that Patrick Hemmings was not able to give an account of what occurred.

‘The defendant was to claim she acted in self-defence and Mr Hemmings armed himself with a knife.

‘Her stabbing of Patrick Hemmings was brought about by a combination of temper, anger and jealousy.

‘

The prosecutor said the murder weapon has never been recovered despite several police searches.

Cole left the flat after the attack without calling police or an ambulance for her wounded lover, the jury heard.

Mr Hemmings staggered into the ground floor shop and asked for the shopkeeper to call an ambulance.

But despite urgent medical attention he died three days later on May 6.

‘The pathologist found a clear and obvious bite mark on the deceased’s left shoulder.

‘The bite mark was caused by the defendant during the argument that took place shortly before Patrick Hemmings was stabbed.

She claimed in interview that Hemmings had punched her during the fight and she was forced to act in self-defence.

A medical examination revealed she had two cuts to her hand that were consistent with a knife wound, said Mr Temple.

But there was no sign of facial injuries to back up her claim, the QC added.

The QC said: ‘It was a volatile relationship and jealousy played it’s part.

‘

Mr Temple told the court the couple’s relationship began in October 1999 after Cole had arrived from Jamaica.

Two days before the fight Cole had rowed with Hemmings after she found two other women in the flat.

On another occasion she became jealous when she found a photo of another Jamaican woman called Sharon in his home.

She claimed she stabbed him after he had chased after her with the knife but she had managed to take it off him.

When questioned about the knife Cole said she could not remember but may have dropped it at the flat or at the bottom of the stairs.

Cole, of Mansfield Close, Edmonton, denies murdering Mr Hemmings on May 3 last year.

The trial continues.

ends