UPDATE: 11.24am

THE stepson of Usk poet Anne Jackson was today given a life sentence for her murder.

He must serve 19 years in prison before he can be considered for release

Timothy Jackson, 49, of Mount Street, Sheffield was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court today after pleading guilty on February 24.

Mrs Jackson, who wrote under the name Anne Cluysenaar, was found dead at her home on Little Wentwood Farm, in Wentwood, near Llantrisant on November 1.

Her body was found in the conservatory. She had been stabbed and stamped on by Jackson while her husband was sleeping upstairs.

Jackson, who pleaded guilty on February 24, stabbed his stepmother five times with a kitchen carving knife and stamped on her head while her husband was sleeping upstairs on November 1 last year.

The body of 78-year-old Anne Jackson, a talented and respected poet who wrote under the name Anne Cluysenaar, was found in the conservatory at her and her husband’s home on Little Wentwood Farm in Wentwood, near Llantrisant. Two of the stab wounds were 15cm deep and had penetrated her lungs.

At Cardiff Crown Court, Roger Thomas QC, prosecuting, said Jackson made the 999 call, telling police his stepmother had “tormented me” and he had murdered her.

Mr Thomas said there had always been friction in Mrs Jackson and her stepson’s relationship. In the days leading up to the murder, Mrs Jackson’s husband, Walt Jackson, had witnessed arguments between the pair with his son yelling and “almost choking with anger”.

Mr Jackson, 77, described his son, who is the youngest of three from his first marriage, as a “strange child and a bully who when he drank, and he drank like a fish, could then fly off the handle. He would get angry at the drop of the hat”.

The court heard how on the morning of the murder, Jackson was working in the garage and drinking from a bottle of wine.

Mr Thomas said: “According to Mr Jackson, his son was in such a mood that the slightest thing would have caused him to go off on one”.

Roger Thomas QC and Michael Jones, prosecuting, said in a 999 call to the police made by the defendant after the incident, Jackson said his stepmother had "tormented me" and he had murdered her.

The court heard how Jackson's relationship with his stepmother had always had friction. Mr Thomas said husband Walt Jackson had witnessed arguments between the pair in the days before the murder when the defendant "was almost choking with anger" and "shouting and yelling" at the 78-year-old.

The knife used was a ‘household knife’ and was picked up by Jackson at the home during the course of the incident before Mrs Jackson was stabbed to death in the conservatory.

An email from Mrs Jackson to a friend sent on the morning of her murder spoke of an "explosion of ill will" towards her, "making a permanent change to what I hoped was becoming a stable relationship."

A statement from Mr Jackson, who did not attend court because of ill health, was read out in court. It said: "Anne wasn't just my wife she was my carer and best friend. She looked after me to make sure I took my medication and did jobs around the farm."

Mr Jackson said: "I hope as time goes on and I come to terms I will be able to forgive Tim and we can rekindle the relationship."

Jackson was represented by Andrew Taylor. He said: "On anybody's account this is a tragic case.

"He cannot explain fully what happened that day save friction and long term tensions spilling over in a way which he himself says is inexplicable.

"He is devastated by what he did. The events of that day will stay with him for the rest of his life."

Mr Taylor said Jackson had never had the ambition to do well at school which, combined with Mrs Jackson's academic success, led to his low self-esteem.

Judge Neil Bidder said: "The murder was particularly brutal. I have no doubt you intended to kill her.

"The shock to Mr Jackson caused by your crime is incalculable."

Belgian-born Mrs Jackson, who published her last collection of poems earlier this year, lived at the farm with husband of 39 years, Walt Jackson, after moving to Monmouthshire more than 25 years ago.

The literary world paid tribute to the well-respected poet and retired lecturer recognised for her long-standing contribution to literature, both locally and nationally.

Among the many tributes paid to Mrs Jackson was one from Literature Wales – a society for Writers of Wales – which said the esteemed poet and Fellow of The Welsh Academy will be “sorely missed”.

UPDATE: 11.24am

THE stepson of Usk poet Anne Jackson will be sentenced for her murder today.

Timothy Jackson, 49, admitted murdering the writer at her home, when he fatally stabbed her after an argument.

Mrs Jackson, who wrote under the name Anne Cluysenaar, was found dead at her home on Little Wentwood Farm, in Wentwood, near Llantrisant on November 1.