Man who slashed woman's throat given jail term
Ian Hensworth will be 84 years old following his sentence
A Nottinghamshire man has been put behind bars after slashing a woman's throat because she was 'messing up' his football.
Ian Hensworth, 62, of Hartley Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was convicted for attempted murder following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
During the trial, the court heard how Hensworth had been arguing with his victim, a 41-year-old woman for quite some time on June 16th, 2021.
The arguments died down and Hensworth went on to watch the Euro 2020 Championship with friends at his house.
Whilst watching the match outside, the defendant began shouting about football and went back inside, where the victim was.
Without speaking, he grabbed a craft knife from the kitchen and slashed her in the neck, before leaving the house and sitting down in a nearby alleyway.
Medics were called to the scene to treat the woman, while police offers were also called to arrest Hensworth.
When arrested, the defendant believed he had killed the woman, and told officers that his victim 'broke my football and I slashed her throat that’s all there is to it full stop'.
The woman who was slashed by Hensworth was left in a critical condition following the attack, but has since made a full recovery.
At Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday (February 16th), Hensworth pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder, prompting a trial - which convicted the defendant.
A judge jailed Hensworth for 22 years for attempted murder, with the stipulation that he must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before being considered for parole.
This means that Hensworth will be aged 84 when he is due to be released from prison in 2044.
Speaking about the case, Detective Constable James Newton from Nottinghamshire Police welcomed the result.
"This was a vicious and unprovoked attack which very nearly cost a woman her life," he said.
“If it wasn’t for the quick actions of the victim’s friends and the first police officers to the scene, it is likely that the victim would have died, and it is both fortunate and thankful that she made a recovery given the injuries he inflicted on her. The pair knew each other and there was a lot of trust there, so it is abhorrent that he also betrayed that.
“I am very pleased that the courts have recognised the seriousness of Hensworth’s actions and that he will now go on to serve a lengthy jail term. I hope this gives him the opportunity to reflect on his actions and realise the impact this has caused, and I also hope the victim is able to seek closure from this now and move forward with her life,” he added.