Alcoholic man jailed for cutting girlfriend's neck during 'horrific' row

A man has been jailed for three years after he cut his girlfriend in her neck during a row – then made her hold the knife to make it look like she had done it herself.

Sean Perry, 34, and Rachel Wibberley had a "tempestuous" relationship, the court heard, made worse by the fact that they both had difficulties with alcohol.

During one argument at the couple's flat, Perry rained several blows on his now-ex girlfriend, causing “horrific injuries”, before nicking her neck with a blade.

Miss Wibberley reported the attack to police, but Perry initially claimed she had harmed herself, saying that her fingerprints were on the knife.

But Perry, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, changed his plea to guilty of causing grievous bodily harm.

The recorder Mr Marcus Pilgerstorfer jailed Perry for three years at Bristol Crown Court, and handed him a restraining order to have no contact with Miss Wibberley.

Ms Susan Cavender, prosecuting, said police called to the couple's flat found Miss Wibberley with "absolutely horrific bruising".

She told them she had fallen over a sofa, but then admitted she had been punched in the face.

Perry was arrested and Miss Wibberley told police he had held a knife to her throat and punctured her neck – telling her he was going to cut her until she "bled out".

She said the next day he was apologetic, but tried to make out she had harmed herself by getting her fingerprints on the knife.

Mr Harry Ahuja, defending, said both his client and the complainant were alcoholics.

He conceded Miss Wibberley was a vulnerable victim, attacked in her own home, but said the 1cm cut she sustained caused superficial damage.

Detective Constable Stephen Milkins said: "I think I can speak on behalf of all the police officers who had some involvement in this case, that the visual injuries to the victim were horrific.

"They were possibly some of the worst seen in a case of domestic violence.

"It is extremely fortunate that the vicious and cowardly assault by the defendant didn’t cause more serious physical injuries than they did. However, it’s not just the injuries that can be seen that cause such harm to victims.

"I truly hope that today’s court result brings some closure for the victim, who is trying to rebuild her life.”