Scars from brutal attack will last a lifetime
Six months ago, Rachel Kane had a bright future ahead of her. A happy, outgoing young mother, she was looking forward to the birth of her second child.
Now, following a savage attempt on her life by ex-boyfriend Andre Smith, she spends every day of her life in terror.
She told the court yesterday how she spends every day of her life suffering from depression, reliving the moment Smith tried to take the life of her and her unborn child, wondering what might have happened.
Pregnant mother was beaten and stabbed at Kidderminster home
Today, Smith is beginning a 15-year sentence for attempted murder, following an attack so brutal it is hard to comprehend.
Smith attacked Miss Kane, with whom he had split four years before, with such a ferocity that two knives were broken during the attack. After that, he continued to lunge at her with a potato peeler.
He also punched her in the head and abdomen, as their young son looked on.
Following the attack, he calmly got into his car and drove away.
Thankfully, Miss Kane and her child survived the attack, but, in her own words, things will never be the same again.
Smith was sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder, which might sound like a long time, but really does not reflect the severity of the crime.
It was only good fortune which prevented him from killing Miss Kane and her unborn child, which would have inevitably have resulted in a life sentence.
Smith is a 25-year-old man who will be eligible for parole in 10 years. It is a chilling thought that a man like Smith could be free to roam the streets in his mid 30s.
A man like Smith is clearly a danger to the public, and for individuals as callous and violent as him, surely only a life sentence will suffice.
Because that is what he has effectively sentenced Miss Kane to.
