Newport man who stabbed woman in 'frenzied attack' jailed (From South Wales Argus)

Newport man who stabbed woman in 'frenzied attack' jailed

11:50am Thursday 7th February 2013 in News

A MAN who subjected his then-partner to a “frenzied attack” and stabbed her in the back was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment.

Lawrence Roberts, 29, pinned Deon Morgan to the floor, stabbed her leaving a three-centimetre wound and repeatedly punched her during the attack in Newport on July 15 last year.

Roberts, of no fixed address, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. Prosecutor Sarah Waters said Roberts and Miss Morgan had been in a “volatile” relationship.

At the time of the incident, Roberts was living in a hostel in Bassaleg Road, Newport, and Roberts and Miss Morgan had gone there drinking white cider and smoking cannabis when they started arguing.

Roberts picked up two knives and ran a blade across his forehead, causing it to bleed. He then punched Miss Morgan twice to the nose and once to the eye, and put his hand over her mouth to stop her screaming.

He then pinned her to the floor with both hands before stabbing her with a knife, leaving a “significant penetrative injury”.

Miss Morgan managed to struggle free but Roberts dragged her back in and put her to the floor where he repeatedly punched her in what Ms Waters described as a “frenzied attack”.

Miss Morgan spent two days in hospital following the attack with other injuries including bruising to her neck, arms, and legs and bruising and swelling to her eyes and nose.

When Roberts was arrested he was swearing and said he had beat Miss Morgan. But he later denied the allegations and claimed Miss Morgan had stabbed him.

The court heard Roberts had 26 previous convictions for 63 offences.

Representing Roberts, Nigel Fryer said Roberts had entered the guilty plea on a reckless basis. He said Roberts had “absolutely no desire” to see Miss Morgan again, is now clean of drugs and wanting to move on with his life.

Recorder Christopher Clee, QC, said half of Roberts’ 42- month sentence will be served in prison and the other half on licence, but he also ordered Roberts to then serve an extra 12 months on licence.

Roberts was also made the subject of a five-year restraining order banning him from making any contact with Miss Morgan.