THE mother of convicted Pantyfynnon murderer Maxine Williams is confident the 23-year-old will be released on appeal within the next few months.

Julie Edwards, of 57 Pantyfynnon Road, is adamant her daughter did not receive a fair trial in the run up to a 13-year sentence for the fatal stabbing of Bernard Evans at the family home in the early hours of January 22, 2008.

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, Mrs Edwards claimed that the trial jury was unaware of the true events that led up to the 41-year-old’s death.

"Maxine is not evil," said Julie. "She is very sorry for what she did, but she had no choice.

"She has never once said she did not do it, but what she did, she did out of self defence and to protect me. She felt she had to do it.

"I would not be alive today if it was not for what Maxine did."

The crown court murder trial heard Mrs Edwards had suffered a history of domestic abuse at the hands of Bernard Evans.

"I was with him for four-and-a-half years and during that time I went through hell," she said.

"On that morning he had beaten me again and from there everything went out of control. It was like being in a horror movie."

Mrs Edwards is angry that she and son Wayne, aged 15 at the time of the incident, were interviewed just hours after the fatal incident.

"We were still in shock," she said.

Maxine has telephoned her mother every day and written at least three letters each week since she was jailed in Durham Prison.

"She is coping very, very well," said Mrs Edwards, "and is positive about moving on with her life once she gets out.

"All her friends have been absolutely fantastic. They have been writing to her regularly and she is immensely grateful for all their support."

"She is very confident about her appeal and she cannot wait to come home.

"I miss her so much. She has always been my rock."

Mrs Edwards is also deeply upset that following Maxine’s conviction, grand-daughter Zoe Marie was adopted.

"Maxine has lost all contact with her daughter and I have lost my grand-daughter," she said. "Zoe Marie has been adopted and we have no idea of where she is now.

"People have no idea how hurt and distressed this family has been. Even now it still effects us all massively.

"I don’t care what the jury said, they got it wrong because they did not know the full story.

"Maxine is not evil and she does not want to be labelled a killer. She wants the real truth to come out and she wants to come home to her family."