A mother-of-two stabbed her partner to death through the heart with a kitchen knife during a 'sudden outburst of unreasoned anger', a court heard.

Michelle Spencer, 48, had abused her partner, David Butterfield, 43, for years when she turned on him earlier this year and killed him.

Just minutes before her trial was due to start at Leeds Crown Court today, Spencer chose to plead guilty to murder and was jailed for 13 years.

Police have revealed Mr Butterfield, described as a 'hard working Yorkshireman', had suffered domestic abuse in silence for years as he chose not to report his ordeal.

It also emerged Spencer had a history of violence and also abused her previous partners.

Michelle Spencer (pictured), 48, of Gomersall, near Leeds, was sentenced to 13 years for the 'utterly provoked assault on David Butterfield, 43, who she stabbed through the heart with a kitchen knife after she had spent the afternoon in a Wetherspoons pub with friends

The court heard Spencer had been holding a knife before the incident because she was preparing food.

Jailing Spencer, Mr Justice Soole said: 'This was an utterly unprovoked assault with a knife on your innocent partner.

'In a sudden outburst of unreasoned anger you deliberately stabbed him once and with very considerable force, causing his almost immediate death.

Spencer (left), 'suddenly and deliberately' plunged the kitchen knife into Mr Butterfield's heart. She claimed that she couldn't remember what happened in the final moment leading up to the attack

'As the agreed basis of plea records, you were preparing food and for that purpose had a knife in your hand.

'As he came towards you, you suddenly and deliberately stabbed him with this knife, which penetrated through his clothing, through a rib and into his heart.

'You said that Mr Butterfield had had been stabbed in the chest, that it had happened at the shop and you had come downstairs to find him bleeding.

'Your basis of plea states that you cannot recall what passed between you and him before you did so, but that you were angry with him.

'You say that he was complaining about how his wages had not gone into his account.

Prosecuting, Simon Waley, said that Mr Butterfield (right) had been at work that day before returning home. When paramedics arrived, Spencer (left) suggested that Mr Butterfield had been stabbed while she was out

'I consider it an aggravating factor that this fatal stabbing took place in the home which Mr Butterfield shared with you and where he is entitled to feel safe.

'The sentence which I imposed is one of imprisonment for life.

'With credit for your plea of guilty, I sentence you to a minimum term of 13 years.'

Prosecuting, Simon Waley described Mr Butterfield's stab wound to the court.

He said: 'It was one stab to the chest. That stab wound was a deep one. It caused injuries in which he died.'

Simon Waley said that David Butterfield had been at work that day before returning home.

He told the court that Mr Butterfield's last movements had been to a local shop for some bread.

Simon Waley added: 'The defendant had been out with friends at a Wetherspoons. There was no suggestion that she was drunk.

'It was while he was out that the defendant returned to the house.

'The incident took place in the seven minutes between 6.26pm when he returned and 6.34pm when the 999 call was made.

Spencer had been out with friends at a Wetherspoons pub before returning and killing Mr Butterfield. Simon Waley said: 'There was no suggestion that she was drunk'

'She said that Butterfield had been stabbed in the chest.

'She indicated that it had taken place while he was out at the shop.

'She said she had come downstairs to see Mr Butterfield on the floor bleeding.

'Although paramedics made every effort they could, he was pronounced dead at 7.04pm.

'When paramedics arrived the defendant continued to suggest that there had been a stabbing to him while she was out. She was arrested.'

Simon Waley said that the nature of the wound was such that the pathologist indicated the degree of force must have been in the severe range and of considerable force.

Happier times: Michelle Colborne, QC, defending said: 'They were healthy and happy together with plans to holiday in the new year.

Michelle Colborne QC, defending, said Spencer had struggled to grasp what she had done.

Ms Colborne QC said: 'Whilst one appreciates that nothing in truth can mitigate for a death, we should demonstrate that this momentary loss of temper wasn't something that had ever been premeditated by the defendant.

'A minor disturbance resulted in this shocking incident.

'She has always said that this was the kindest, most loving man.

'They were healthy and happy together with plans to holiday in the new year.

'We hope that the family can understand that there is remorse.'

The scene on January 13 2017 in Gomersall near Leeds, where Spencer has admitted murdering her partner

Detective Inspector Ben McDonald said the police investigation uncovered a history of unreported violence which Spencer had inflicted on Butterfield and her previous partners.

He said Spender first tried to claim her partner had been attacked on his way back from the shops and then told detectives it had just been an accident.

But the truth was pieced together by officers and forensic experts.

Spencer was due to go on trial at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday, but admitted murder.

She was sentenced at the same court on Thursday by Mr Justice Soole.

Mr McDonald said: “As a result of diligent and meticulous inquiries by the police investigation team, a violent woman has been brought to justice. Having originally lied to the police regarding the circumstances, the team have been able to uncover the facts, which has resulted in a guilty plea.

“Mr Butterfield had suffered domestic abuse at the hands of his partner and ultimately paid the price for the fact that these incidents were never reported to the police. No one, women or men, should suffer domestic violence and I would encourage victims of such incidents to contact the police or Victim Support as soon as possible.”

Police described Mr Butterfield as “a hard working Yorkshireman” who leaves two children, aged 16 and 19.