Partner Knives Partner. Partner Begs Judge For Mercy
A MAN who stabbed his gay lover with a kitchen knife escaped jail – after his victim urged a judge not to lock him up.
Martin Duval, 48, plunged a knife into boyfriend of two years Steven Winfield’s leg, causing heavy bleeding after an artery was cut.
Leeds Crown Court heard the pair had been drinking at the flat they shared and arguing about Mr Winfield’s “fidelity”.
Prosecutor Craig Hassall told the court Duval said ‘I hope you bleed to death’ as Mr Winfield fled to the bathroom during the incident last October.
Duval dialled 999 as the couple continued to row at the flat on Greenside Estate at Mirfield near Dewsbury.
Mr Winfield was taken to Dewsbury and District Hospital, where his leg wound was treated.
Mr Hassall said Duval was interviewed by police, adding: “He said he was heartbroken about what had happened . He said he didn’t know why they were still together.”
Giving evidence, Mr Winfield told the court: “We are fine together, but when we drink it is a little volatile.”
Judge Alastair McCallum told Mr Winfield: “I don’t want to pass a sentence and find out in a week’s time that he has killed you.”
Mr Winfield said: “We were both shocked that it happened. It wasn’t Mr Duval’s fault. I put him in that situation.”
Duval’s lawyer, Richard Wright said: “It seems from what the complainant says that whatever your honour did, he would go back to the complainant.”
Judge McCallum said: “The one person he is a risk to is his partner and his partner has just come in here and effectively told me he doesn’t want him to go to prison.”
Duval had previously admitted wounding.
Sentencing Duval to a 12 month community order with supervision and alcohol treatment order, Judge McCallum told him: “You are extremely fortunate your partner has come here to support you because it looks as though the two of you might be able to make a go of it, providing you sort out your alcohol problems.”
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