Family Condemns Eight-Year Sentence for Domestic Violence Manslaughter
The family of a man who endured years of horrific domestic violence before being fatally stabbed by his partner has expressed outrage over an eight-year jail sentence for manslaughter, deeming it inadequate. Sweeney May Woods, now 51, was sentenced in the WA Supreme Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of her partner of 37 years, Avon Cockie, 51, in a Maddington home in Perth’s south on August 27, 2024.
Fatal Stabbing Followed Years of Abuse
The court heard that Woods stabbed Cockie in the back of the leg with a 24 cm kitchen knife as he was walking away, causing a 6.7 cm deep wound that punctured an artery and led to his death from blood loss. Justice Bruno Fiannaca detailed that Woods had subjected Cockie to years of violent and verbal abuse, with the soft-spoken artist typically responding by retreating from conflict. In the days prior to the attack, Woods relentlessly tormented and assaulted Cockie over allegations of infidelity.
Evidence presented included a text message from Woods the day before the stabbing, which featured emojis of a devil and evil face along with the words “you are dead to me, Ha ha ha ha, hurry up and go to Hell.” Cockie responded the following morning with “I love you” and a heart emoji. That evening, while drunk, Woods went to the Maddington house where Cockie was staying, retrieved a knife from a kitchen drawer, and lunged at him. Witnesses recalled Cockie shouting, “she has got a knife she is going to kill me,” before he was stabbed in the lower left leg.
History of Violence and Sentencing Concerns
Justice Fiannaca noted that Woods had previously stabbed Cockie in another drunken attack four years earlier, resulting in injuries to his right leg, foot, and left arm. For that incident, Woods received an 11-month suspended sentence for unlawful wounding. The judge described Cockie as vulnerable due to his non-retaliatory nature, stating, “You were the instigator of the violence. Right up to the point that you stabbed him he was trying to retreat as is evidenced by the fact that you stabbed him to the back of the leg.”
The court heard the couple had a volatile relationship, with Woods becoming the main instigator and aggressor in later years, driven by jealousy and resulting in controlling and abusive behavior, especially when intoxicated. Justice Fiannaca acknowledged that while domestic violence is often perpetrated by males against females, it remains a serious issue when committed by females against male partners. He considered Woods’ difficult childhood, marred by disadvantage and exposure to domestic violence, which may have normalized such behavior for her.
Family Reaction and Gender Bias Allegations
After the sentencing, Woods called out to supporters in the gallery with “love youse” and “see you later” before being led away. Outside court, Cockie’s sister, Florence Caird, expressed the family’s devastation, stating they were “gutted” by the sentence length. She argued that the message sent to the community is weak, saying, “You can stab someone and go to jail for six to eight years.” Caird also alleged gender bias, claiming, “I think that if it was my brother in court today he would have got a harder sentence. When you are talking about domestic violence it is not gender-based anymore it’s happening women against men.”
The maximum sentence for manslaughter in Western Australia is life imprisonment, but Woods received eight years with a non-parole period of six years. This case has sparked broader discussions about sentencing adequacy and perceptions of gender in domestic violence prosecutions, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing such crimes within the legal system.
