Lady jailed for inflicting loss of life of long-term accomplice

A lady has been jailed for inflicting the loss of life of her terminally in poor health accomplice of 37 years after attacking him on New Year’s Eve.

Gillian Shaw, 62, of Rothwell Street, Liverpool was initially charged with homicide following the loss of life of house-bound Steven Cox, 64 whom she cared for.

He had important medical circumstances, together with continual obstructive pulmonary illness and emphysema, giving him a life expectancy of 12 months.

On New Year’s Eve, she struck him to the pinnacle, dragged him from his mattress, and tried to gouge out his eyes. Medical proof confirmed Shaw suffered from a number of psychological well being circumstances.

Shaw known as the police, saying she had hit her accomplice and tried to poke his eyes.

When the police arrived, Mr Cox was on the ground as he had been dragged from his mattress by Shaw. He was clearly upset. Shaw admitted to the attending officers that she had assaulted Mr Cox.

She was arrested and brought to St Anne Street police station. Mr Cox was taken to hospital, however he died within the early hours of New Year’s Day 2025.

Shaw was rearrested and charged with homicide. A psychological well being practitioner declared that she had psychological capability and was match to be interviewed.

She had attacked Mr Cox earlier than, however he had not been prepared to help a prosecution, beforehand indicating that she wanted assist for psychological well being moderately than to be prosecuted.

When Mr Cox spoke to the police, he described their relationship pretty much as good however stated it had deteriorated just lately due to Shaw’s psychological well being points.

When she was interviewed by police, Shaw stated she had known as them as a result of she thought Mr Cox may die due to what she had carried out to him. She stated she didn’t need him to die. She instructed the police that she liked him.

On 8 June 2025, the Crown Prosecution Service accepted a plea to manslaughter, accepting that Shaw had not meant to kill him however was liable for his loss of life.

Today, 28 July 2025, at Liverpool Crown Court, she was sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment. 

Senior Crown Prosecutor Edward Cain, of CPS Mersey-Cheshire, stated: “Gillian Shaw’s attack caused serious injuries to Mr Cox – three fractured ribs, facial injuries and breathing problems. She admitted the attack to police.

“Mr Cox said they had a good relationship, and that Shaw suffered from poor mental health.

“Establishing the correct level of charge was complicated.

“Only when expert reports were received could the CPS assess all the evidence and determine the correct level of charge.

“This is an incredibly sad case and the Crown Prosecution Service offers its condolences to the all the family members and friends of Steven Cox.”