A MOTHER has admitted killing her husband after he was found with stab wounds on their sofa.

Dawn Bracewell, 37, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Gary Bracewell, 34.

She pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Gary Bracewell, 34, on June 19 last year.

Bracewell, who has five children, was originally charged with murder following his death on June 19 last year.

The second charge of manslaughter was laid as an alternative when she pleaded at a brief Preston Crown Court hearing yesterday.

The judge, Mr Justice Astill, then adjourned the case for a pre-sentence reports to be prepared on Bracewell.

She was arrested at a house in Brown Street East, Colne, after her husband was found on a settee suffering from serious injuries including stab wounds.

Mr Bracewell was taken to Burnley General Hospital but later died.

Police were alerted after an ambulance crew was called to the house at 11.40pm.

Paramedics treated Mr Bracewell, who they said had been stabbed in the chest. Detectives immediately started an extensive investigation into the incident and carried out house to house inquiries in the area. Bracewell's children are also believed to have lived in the property, owned by housing association Eaves Brook Housing, in the converted former Co-op warehouse near to Colne town centre.

Neighbours living close to the couple at the time expressed sorrow and sadness following Mr Bracewell's death while others were too upset to make any comment today.

The former warehouse was converted into family-sized four-bedroom homes about five years ago.

Bracewell was remanded on conditional bail to an address at Florey Street, Avenham, Preston. She is due to be sentenced by the same judge on Friday, February 15.