Wirral woman admits murdering partner

Nov 28 2012 By Daniel Johnson

A MUM from Wirral has admitted murdering her partner.

Cherie Cooper, 25, pleaded guilty to stabbing her partner of two years in the chest at their home in Briardale Road, Birkenhead.

Darren Dempsey, 37, was taken to hospital but later died of his injuries.

Wearing a red, pink and black hooded jumper and, via video-link from HMP Styal, she spoke only to confirm her name and to offer a guilty plea.

Cooper, who is originally from New Brighton and has a daughter from a previous relationship, will be sentenced on December 11 at Liverpool Crown Court.

Police and paramedics were called to the couple’s house at around 9.30pm on August 17 after reports a man had been stabbed.

Neighbours on the small, suburban street spoke at the time of their shock, saying they were a "happy, quiet couple".

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the couple had been together at least two years.

She said: "It is a complete and utter shock. I feel so sorry for him and their baby.

"We would see them in their garden and they always seemed so happy. They had lived there for at least two years. They were a nice, normal couple. They were very quiet and kept themselves to themselves."

Another neighbour said: "We were outside watching the thunder and lightning and we saw ambulances with their blue lights on pull up outside the house. A little later the police came and the next morning there were all the forensics inside the house.

"Everyone in the street is so sad about it.

"No-one can believe it. People have said they seemed like the happiest couple you could meet."

"It’s shocking. You don’t ever think you’ll see things like this happen on your doorstep."