'Violent' wife pleads guilty to the murder of her husband

A WOMAN who “violently stamped” her husband to death and then lied about the act has pleaded guilty to his murder.

Pauline Caster (44), of Harmony Way, pleaded guilty to the murder of Kevin David Caster on the third day of her trial at Sheffield Crown Court today.

She had originally pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.

Police said emergency services had been called to the property at 10pm on October 19, 2021, after Mr Caster (pictured below) was found “gravely injured”.

He died the following day.

Caster was originally arrested on suspicion of murder on October 21 before she was released on bail.

She was charged with her husband’s murder in November 2022 - a year after the killing - and the case came to crown court on Monday.

Caster was seen running in the street screaming that her husband was dead at around 9.55pm the day before he died, the court heard.

Det Insp John Fitzgibbons described evidence provided in court which unravelled Caster’s lies. 

“Firstly I wish to take this opportunity to send my condolences to Kevin’s family and loved ones, as they continue to come to terms with their loss,” he said. 

“The information we gathered during our enquiries sadly revealed a history of arguments between the two and on the night of his death, witnesses reported hearing Caster shouting at Kevin and a number of people reported seeing Caster making violent gestures, as though she was stamping on something, through the window. 

“CCTV footage showed Caster violently stamping on Kevin while he lay on the floor. 

“She then waited an hour and a half before calling for help.

“By which time nothing could be done to save Kevin.

“We also learned that Caster changed her account of how Kevin came to be injured to those who ran to her aid that evening after hearing her shouting in the street.

“To some, she said he’d been in a fight, others she told he’d taken pills and had had a seizure.  

“This is a tragic case where not only do those who knew and loved Kevin have to face his loss, but Caster’s actions effectively mean they lose her too, as she now faces a significant custodial sentence.”

Caster will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court tomorrow.