Stabbed 177 Times, Guilty Party Claims - "Not my cup of tea"

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Kim Butler

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uploaded by Swan

The last couple of months has seen a rash of stabbings both in the U.S., and the U.K.  This particular method of killing people, seems to have become the 'crime du jour'.

The story that I'm focusing on today, concerns the case of Kim Butler age 44, who was stabbed 177 times by an alcoholic named Arthur Pitt-Pladdy age 36. His pathetic excuse? He claims that she nagged him.

The jury was informed that Butler had told friends - "he's going to do me in.  I know he is."  Now I don't know about you, but if that person were me, I wouldn't be hanging around to see if I was right.  Where was this person's head?

The weapon of choice had been a breadknife, which had been left buried in the side of Butler's neck. Pitt-Pladdy then called the police and confessed to the heinous crime:

"I have just committed murder" he said, and described the victim as "my missus". When the police arrived, he told the officer: "I have done her in mate. I stabbed her in the leg, then the stomach and to shut her up I stabbed her in the face. I left the knife sticking in her neck."

Astonishingly, in the Swansea Crown Court, Pladdy denied that he had committed murder, using "diminished responsibility" as a defense. He was still convicted with sentence being adjourned.  Later, he had admitted manslaughter but wouldn't admit to murder - claiming mental illness.

Why am I not surprised.

A close relationship existed between Andrew Gibbs, his mother and Kim Butler. Mr. Gibbs said "she was like a big sister to me."  The last time they visited together, Gibbs said, "She looked scared.  She said she was scared of him and that she didn't want to go back to her flat."

Mr. Gibbs also revealed that Pladdy used to force Butler to steal beer for him from local shops.

Pladdy and Butler apparently met shortly after he was released from jail. The relationship became sexual, which he says he made use of "to get a roof over his head."

He made a later statement to the police saying: "She was not really my cup of tea." He further complained that she was "mouthy" and triggered his assault by "hitting and nagging him."

In court, Pladdy announced that he was an alcoholic with a heroin dependency, needing to use the drug twice a day.

In February of this year, the jury became privy to photographs after having been warned about them.

The jury also listened to the emergency call that Pladdy made to the police after he allegedly murdered her. The prosecutor Mr. Thomas, claims that the call reflected his state of mind at the time.

Apparently during the call, Pladdy insisted on hyphenating his surname to the emergency operator, showing that he was in control of his faculties.

You can read more at any of the links I've listed below.

* I could find no credits for these stories or photos.

Sources:

BBC News

Alcoholic Stabbed Woman 177 Times

Western Telegraph

Swansea Crown Court Hears That Victim Kim Butler "Predicted Her Own Death"

Belfast Telegraph

Drunk Man Stabbed 'Nagging' Wife 177 Times, Court Told

Newsvine

The Wire

Photo Sources

BBC News

Alcoholic Stabbed Woman 177 Times

Western Telegraph

Swansea Crown Court Hears That Victim Kim Butler "Predicted Her Own Death"