Shoreham Man Sentenced for Manslaughter of Wife

A retired bricklayer, James Gumbrell, was sentenced on Friday for the killing of his wife, 59-year-old Deborah Gumbrell, at their home in Northbourne Close, Shoreham, on 24 October 2022.

The court proceedings revealed that Gumbrell had called the police on the day of the incident, confessing that he had stabbed his wife.

Emergency services, including police officers and paramedics, rushed to the scene where they found Gumbrell and his wife. Despite their efforts to save Deborah, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Gumbrell was promptly charged with murder on 26 October 2022 and appeared before Crawley Magistrates, where he was remanded into custody.

During his appearance at Chichester Crown Court on 17 March 2023, Gumbrell pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, a plea accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

On 24 May, Lewes Crown Court imposed a Hospital Order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act, mandating Gumbrell to undergo treatment.