A DETECTIVE who probed the stabbing of a man by his ex-lover today denied the killer's jail sentence was too soft.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome backed Judge Peter Openshaw QC's decision to imprison Kelly Hyslop, 20, for two years - adding that it was the "absolutely correct" punishment.

Hyslop, of Huncoat, was sentenced yesterday at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty in September to the manslaughter of her abusive ex-boyfriend Mohammed Nadeem - a married father of two, of Steiner Street, Accrington.

And when Judge Openshaw revealed Hyslop would be sent to a young offenders' institution, Mr Nadeem's family expressed their anger as they left court.

But today Det Insp Broome said: "While the facts in this case were never an issue, the surrounding circumstances were very complicated indeed.

"I don't envy the judge in his role as decision-maker in this case. While two years' imprisonment for killing somebody may seem very lenient, I am sure that the judge got it absolutely correct."

Alastair Webster QC, defending, had urged the judge to consider a non-custodial sentence because of the abuse that was said to have led to the stabbing on February 20.

But he said the interests of justice required a jail term, adding that Hyslop's time in jail had been drastically reduced by the "aggravating factors."

The court heard Hyslop stabbed Mr Nadeem, 28, seven times in an argument over a miscarriage at her boyfriend's home in Commercial Road, Great Harwood.

Hyslop told police the victim grabbed her and she stabbed in him self-defence in the chest and then again while he was on the floor as he would not stop calling her names.

The couple's relationship had started when Hyslop was just 14, the court heard. Mr Nadeem became abusive and violent after Hyslop had two miscarriages.

The relationship ended by the turn of this year and Hyslop was living with another man but continued to see Mr Nadeem. Hyslop sought help from her GP days before Mr Nadeem's death.

She told her doctor she could not break free from him. The court heard the GP who saw her that day described Hyslop as a "rat trapped in a corner."

She was so moved by her plight that she took the unusual step of giving out her home phone number to offer extra round-the-clock help.