A mentally ill woman who glued shut the eyes of her sleeping fiance before stabbing him to death is suing a council for more than £50,000 for alleged abuse.

Paula Staines says she suffered emotional, physical and sexual abuse when in care as a child before she killed Simon Widger.

In a writ issued at the High Court, Staines accuses East Sussex County Council of negligence in failing to protect her in care from about 1988.

Staines was 19 when she attacked 35-year-old Mr Widger as he slept at her flat in Ratton Road, Eastbourne, in 2000.

She admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after claiming voices in her head told her to kill.

Lewes Crown Court heard she smothered him with a pillow and attempted to stab him. She also struck him with an iron.

The knife broke and Staines fell asleep, thinking she had killed him. But Mr Widger, of Holly Place, Eastbourne, woke and tripped over her.

She then launched another vicious attack, stabbing him dozens of times in the neck, chest and stomach.

Staines made an attempt to clear away blood stained clothing before taking a taxi to Beachy Head, near Eastbourne.

She left a text message on a friend's mobile saying she was going to jump. However, she was picked up by police and took officers to her flat, where they found Mr Widger's body.

In November 1998, Staines was given two years' probation for stabbing Mr Widger and then sent to a young offenders institute for nine months for fighting with a woman who lived above her flat.

Broadmoor psychiatrist Fiona Mason told the court that Staines had a severe psychopathic disorder and would be a risk to inmates in a normal prison.

She was placed in custody for life, including four years in Broadmoor hospital.

Staines' writ against East Sussex County Council states: "The claimant (Staines) claims damages for the injuries suffered as a result of the negligence of the defendants in protecting the claimant and the failure of the defendants to keep the claimant safe."

A council spokesman said: "Because it is a High Court case which is pending, we are not in a position to comment."

Staines' solicitors at London-based personal injury specialists Leigh Day and Co declined to comment.