Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Met Police
London
Woman sentenced to three years in prison for stabbing convicted paedophile
Michael Pleasted, the woman’s neighbour, had served as long as six years in prison.
A WOMAN HAS been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for stabbing to death her neighbour, a convicted paedophile.
The Old Bailey in London found the woman, Sarah Sands (32), guilty of manslaughter by loss of control.
The court heard that Sands entered Michael Pleasted’s home on the evening of 30 November last year and stabbed him multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sands had recently discovered that Pleasted (77) had abused children, and was on bail at the time.
She was arrested after she presented herself to a local police station, with a blood-stained knife and clothing, and confessed to the killing.
The Guardian reports that when handing herself in, Sands said the deceased was “asking for trouble”, having been housed in an estate.
The publication adds that Pleasted had served between nine months and six years for assaulting young boys over a 21-year period.
have your say