A pregnant woman has relived the shocking moment her boyfriend was stabbed straight through the heart by her teenage cousin during a brutal family row.
Fiery Family Fight Ends in Fatal Stabbing
Shannon Byrne told police how her 20-year-old cousin, Paige Poulton, plunged a knife “really hard” into Jack Cadwallader’s chest during a savage argument at a flat in Harrietsham on July 2 last year.
Byrne, who was newly pregnant with Jack’s child, said Poulton was “raging and angry,” waving the knife wildly before delivering the deadly blow.
Jack, 25, collapsed instantly and died despite desperate attempts by friends and paramedics to save him. He had previously had a one-night stand with Poulton before starting a relationship with Byrne in 2021.
Poulton, from Haringey, north London, is on trial at Maidstone Crown Court charged with manslaughter. She was cleared of murder earlier this year. Her lawyers claim self-defence or defending another, but prosecutors insist there was no “lawful justification.”
Violent Clash Explodes on Fateful Night
Prosecutor Sarah Jones KC revealed the deadly row came after a tense day between Jack and Shannon. Poulton was reportedly “irritated, annoyed and wound up,” even telling her mum she might “end up stabbing” Jack.
Byrne described how Jack’s surprise visit to the flat set Poulton off. “She went crazy when he showed up unannounced,” she said. Byrne denied claims that Jack charged Poulton with a metal patio chair, saying he only picked it up to defend himself.
“I see her go like this, really hard, into his heart. It was like, intentional, with force,” Byrne told police. “I just remember his face after. He didn’t look at me, he looked at Paige, and then he just dropped on the grass and started bleeding badly.”
Dark History of Violence Looms Over Case
Under tough cross-examination, Byrne admitted Jack had a violent past spanning years, including assaults with fists, knives, and bottles. He had assault convictions and was linked to a deadly 2022 punch that killed a man—though he was never charged. At his death, Jack was facing two court cases for assault and threats.
But she insisted Jack was calm that night and claimed Poulton attacked “for no good reason.” She denied he was aggressive or tried to strike with the chair, saying he merely defended himself.
“She took the love of my life away from me and also the father of my child,” Byrne told the court.
Witness Eyewitness Backs Fatal Stabbing Account
Matthew Smith, a friend who drove Jack to the flat, also gave evidence. He recalled Jack joking and laughing just moments before the attack.
Smith saw Poulton punch Jack, then grab a 10-inch kitchen knife. He saw Jack holding a chair defensively before Poulton “lunged forward” and stabbed him in the chest.
“I got to the hospital and just called for help. I said ‘I need a stretcher. My mate’s been stabbed.’”
Drugs and Booze Cloud Tragic Night
Autopsy tests found Jack’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal drink-drive limit, with traces of cocaine plus anti-psychotic and antidepressant drugs. Poulton had alcohol, cannabis (THC), and medications for anxiety and insomnia in her system.
The trial continues at Maidstone Crown Court as the jury digs through explosive evidence from this deadly family feud that ended in tragedy.
