David Heslop guilty of attempted murder of ex-partner

18/11/2011

David Heslop was found guilty of the attempted murder of his ex-partner Emma Wilson by a jury at Carlisle Crown Court today and sentenced to a total of 18 years imprisonment.

He stabbed Emma Wilson numerous times with a kitchen knife causing near-fatal injuries after confronting her at her home address. Her six-year-old son and two of his friends were also in the house at the time. The defendant admitted in police interviews that he had stabbed her and caused the injuries but denied that in doing so he intended to murder her.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Stuart Pattinson said: "This was a horrifying assault and the victim suffered terrible injuries. It was clear from the evidence that David Heslop intended to kill her, and the CPS therefore pursued a charge of attempted murder at trial, even though the defendant had pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

"Not only did he commit the offence whilst children were in the house, but he also did so whilst subject to a restraining order following a background of domestic violence and harassment towards Emma Wilson. Whilst cases of this severity are rare in Cumbria, we would encourage all victims of physical and mental abuse to seek help and report incidents to the police.

"The victim in this case showed particular bravery by giving her evidence in the court room. Giving evidence in this sort of case is very difficult and wherever possible the Crown Prosecution Service will seek to help vulnerable victims by applying to the court to allow them to give evidence behind a screen or by video-link."

David Heslop was also found guilty of breaching a restraining order for an incident three days before the attempted murder when he threatened her with a pair of scissors.

He was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment for attempted murder, three months' imprisonment for breaching a restraining order to run consecutively and nine months' imprisonment representing the activation of a suspended sentence for a previous harassment conviction against the same victim, also to run consecutively.

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