Man, 41, stabbed his ex-girlfriend with steak knife in jealous attack (From Thisisdorset)

Man, 41, stabbed his ex-girlfriend with steak knife in jealous attack

10:00am Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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A FORMER pub landlord who stabbed his ex-girlfriend with a steak knife during a jealous rage has been jailed for three years and four months.

Steven Marles admitted wounding Rebecca Gott, with intent, after violence flared at the home they had shared in the Burton area of Christchurch on January 4 this year.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Clifford Grier said Marles, 41, had moved out of the property last autumn after their seven-year relationship broke down.

“He was devastated. On January 2 Miss Gott spoke to Mr Marles about a new relationship she had formed and he gave the impression that he wasn’t jealous. They arranged to meet on January 4.

He stabbed her, before stabbing himself

Prosecutor Clifford Grier

“Their conversation was amicable until it turned to her new boyfriend and then Mr Marles’ mood changed.

“An argument developed and Miss Gott told him to get out.”

Mr Grier added: “He pinned her down on the sofa and punched her.

“She punched him back and said his face was red with rage as he went into the kitchen and picked up a steak knife with a six-inch blade.

“She screamed at him to put it down but he drove it into her stomach.

“He stabbed her again before stabbing himself and then stabbing her a third time.

“Miss Gott begged him to put the knife down and suddenly it all stopped. Then he began trashing the room and Miss Gott ran to a friend’s house for refuge.”

Miss Gott’s wounds were described as “superficial” while Marles, who took an overdose before jumping into the sea at Mudeford Quay, spent five days in hospital.

Defending, Frank Abbott said his client had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He added: “This was a sudden, almost inexplicable explosion. There was no history of violence and he only intended to harm himself.

“He picked up the knife on the spur of the moment.”

Sentencing Marles from Morley Road, Bournemouth, Judge Samuel Wiggs told him: “This was a very nasty attack indeed. It is almost impossible to appreciate how frightening it was for the victim.”