Jealous husband told police he '˜lost it' before stabbing wife to death

Stuart Gallear, 51, told police he “lost it” and attacked her with a kitchen knife at the marital home in Hindley, near Wigan, on October 6 last year.

Police arrived at the address within 10 minutes of the defendant ringing for an ambulance and found Mandy Gallear, 42, lying motionless on the kitchen floor with three deep wounds to her chest.

Mrs Gallear, head of accounts at a property firm, was rushed to hospital but medics could not resuscitate her and she was pronounced dead.

Former warehouse manager Gallear has pleaded guilty to her manslaughter but denies murder.

The couple, who were married in 1998, emigrated to Canada in 2009 with their two young daughters but the move was not a success and they flew back to the UK just three months later.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Gallear became depressed on their return as he drank to excess and neglected his wife and daughters.

Alaric Bassano, prosecuting, said Mrs Gallear told others about her dissatisfaction with her husband and how he mistreated her.

In 2014, Gallear made a pass at his wife’s sister when he tried to kiss her, said Mr Bassano.

Then in 2015, Mrs Gallear became romantically involved with Mark Prescott, he continued.

Mr Bassano said: “She informed the defendant of the fact of this relationship - though, mindful that the defendant knew Prescott, did not tell him of Prescott’s identity.

“Mandy Gallear fell in love with Mark Prescott and in early 2016 confided in a work colleague that she wanted to leave the defendant but felt unable to do so because of her children.

“She thus continued to live under the same roof as the defendant, but maintained her relationship with Mark Prescott until the time of her death.”

Matters came to a head in early October last year, said the prosecutor, when Mr Prescott’s partner found about the affair.

The case continues ...