Boyfriend stabbed partner in stomach in Sedgley
A man who stabbed his girlfriend in the stomach with a knife has escaped an immediate jail sentence after a judge heard he had been forgiven by his partner, who wants a future with him.
Emma Horton suffered serious injuries when she was stabbed by 22-year-old boyfriend Nathan Glover. The knife went four-and-a-half inches into her bowel and she required significant medical attention to recover.
At a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, Glover admitted stabbing her outside a friend's house in Sedgley. As a basis for a guilty plea for unlawful wounding, he claimed the stabbing was unintentional. He said the incident happened while he turned round to speak to her.
He had the knife in his hand to open the front gate of the house they were leaving in Rowan Close, Sedgley. At the hearing yesterday, she cried throughout before celebrating when Recorder Jonathan Edwards spared Glover an immediate prison sentence.
Glover, who also admitted attempted burglary after demanding car keys from a nearby resident in a bid to get away, received a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also put on a Structured Intervention to Address Domestic Abuse programme. Mr Edwards said: "I hope he recognises, intentionally or not, he came to causing an injury which could have ended the life of the one he loves."
He told Glover: "I don't need telling you that I have been troubled by your case.
"On the one hand you caused what could have been a life-threatening injury with a knife when heavily intoxicated with drink or drugs, or a combination of both. That is not something which is mitigating, it could be an aggravating feature.
"On the other hand you have displayed remorse, you pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and most potently of all, the lady not only forgave you, but wants a life with you.
"You could not have complaints if I sent you to prison immediately, but I think the three and a half months you have served in custody is just about enough – it was a very close call."
Mr Nicholas Burn, prosecuting, said the incident happened on June 15. He added: "The defendant attempted to escape and goes to another house and demands the car keys – they do not let him in the house."
Glover, of Berrybush Gardens, Sedgley, admitted unlawful wounding after pleading not guilty to wounding with intent. Mr Stephen Cadwallader, defending, said: "This was an isolated incident without any intention whatsoever."
