Caerphilly man avoids jail after fork stabbing (From Campaign Series)

Caerphilly man avoids jail after fork stabbing

2:38pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

A CAERPHILLY man who stabbed his heavily pregnant partner with a fork before being tasered by police has avoided jail.

Nathan Edwards, 23, of Porset Park, admitted common assault, assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of a bladed article and resisting arrest on August 17.

At Newport Crown Court on Wednesday, prosecutor John Probert said that on June 13, a taxi driver had been working when he drove past the defendant and his partner, Catherine Rees at around 11.40pm.

He was approached by Edwards, who opened the driver's door and accused the driver of speeding.

The defendant then banged his head on the car bonnet, punched the driver six times in the face and kicked his arm. Edwards left and police found Miss Rees nearby.

At around 2am, Miss Rees contacted police to say the defendant was outside the house she was in, with a knife.

Police attended and the bare-chested defendant was located in a nearby front garden.

He refused to cooperate and was tasered by police, but continued to resist arrest, headbutting a wall and fence. A large kitchen knife was recovered nearby.

Miss Rees told police that after the assault on the taxi driver, she had gone with Edwards to his address where he had attacked her.

Miss Rees, who was 35 weeks pregnant at the time, said Edwards grabbed her hair and pulled her onto the bed, before getting on top of her and putting both hands round her throat.

Edwards then grabbed a fork and stabbed her in the forehead, throat and hip, but did not break the skin. He bit her face and stabbed himself in the upper chest.

When interviewed by police, Edwards said the fight with the taxi driver had been 50-50.

Gareth Jones, mitigating, said Edwards had a limited recollection as he had drunk too much alcohol and "rather went off the rails" following two family bereavements.

For attacking Miss Rees, Edwards was sentenced to 12 months' custody; for possession of a bladed article, eight months; for common assault against the taxi driver, four months; for resisting arrest, one month; and for breach of a previous conditional discharge, two months.

All sentences, which are to run concurrently, were suspended for two years.

He will be supervised for 24 months and must take part in an integrated domestic abuse programme as well as 20 days' activity requirement for help with education, training and employment.

Edwards, who has never worked, will not have to pay compensation.

Judge Philip Richards said: "This is a merciful sentence, don't let yourself down."