Accused Woman’s ‘I Did It’ Statement Heard in Stabbing Trial

A jury has been informed that a woman, accused of attempting to murder her husband and a child, was apprehended by detectives after she stated, “I did it.” Prosecutors allege that Jacqueline Mounsey, 53, stabbed her husband, Mark Bennett, and the child in the neck, subsequently injuring herself, in the Morton area of Carlisle on 10 June. Carlisle Crown Court heard that Mr. Bennett later told police, “I’ve woken up on the couch to her stabbing me.” Ms. Mounsey denies two counts of attempted murder, along with two counts of the lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm. In a statement presented to the court, a police constable who responded to the Whernside address reported: “Mr Bennett believes Jackie has gone crazy since her mother’s death.” Mr. Bennett also recounted a prior incident where he claimed Ms. Mounsey restricted his breathing with a couch cushion. Ms. Mounsey was deemed fit for interview following the alleged attack, and three days later, she was questioned in three distinct sessions, primarily giving “no comment” responses. She met with an NHS liaison and diversion staff member and was subsequently transported to temporary accommodation. Video clips shown to the jury depicted that journey and the ensuing conversation with two detectives. In one clip, Ms. Mounsey was offered mental health support, to which she replied, “I don’t need mental health. I just need, like, therapy or something.” In another clip, she made what the prosecution asserts were “significant disclosures.” She stated, “What I’ve got to say is going to get me into trouble,” adding, “I want to tell you but I don’t want jail.” Ms. Mounsey expressed a desire to “just want[s] to confess now” and unburden herself to “get spared jail” and “get the help.” She remarked, “If I’d got the help, none of this would have happened, so I did it.” She further stated, “I did it,” and “I didn’t get any help.” An officer inquired, “Did you just say ‘I did it’?” Ms. Mounsey confirmed with a nod and reiterated, “I didn’t get any help.” Detectives then informed her that she would be arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. She then questioned, “Was that a bad thing to say?” In a separate video segment, while standing in a garden and smoking a cigarette, Ms. Mounsey asked, “Will everyone get to know…that I’ve admitted it?” As a detective communicated via radio with a colleague regarding her arrest, Ms. Mounsey appended, “I didn’t mean to do it.” The trial, which is in its second week, is ongoing.