Gosport man jailed for attacking ex-partner with razor blade
Police say the attack in a car park last year was pre-meditated
A man has been jailed for seven years after he assaulted his ex-partner with a razor blade in Gosport.
49-year-old William Butler of San Diego Road in Gosport carried out the attack in a car park off Prince of Wales Road on March 11th last year.
He approached the vehicle of his victim, in her 40s, as it was pulling into a parking space.
After a very brief exchange of words, Butler started swinging his arms at the woman, who tried to get away from him by climbing onto the back seat of the car.
The woman then realised that she had a cut on her throat which was bleeding. The driver of the vehicle she was in drove her immediately away from the area and to Gosport police station.
Police attended the scene of the assault and arrested Butler, with officers finding a razor blade on the floor next to his vehicle.
Officers heard that Butler had planned the attack, and he had been waiting in his car for more than 5 minutes for the woman to arrive in the area.
Butler was charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article, and affray.
He admitted affray and possession of a bladed article at a hearing in Portsmouth Crown Court on May 28th. However, the case proceeded to trial for the offence of attempted murder which Butler denied.
Following the trial, he was found not guilty of attempted murder, and instead found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent.
Butler appeared at the same court for sentencing yesterday (Monday 17th), where he was jailed for 7 years and handed an indefinite restraining order.
Police Staff Investigator Nikki Ginn of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said:
"This was a shocking assault involving a weapon, which was understandably very distressing for the victim.
"Butler was quickly located and arrested by police, and the courage shown by the victim in recounting the terrifying events of that day has resulted in him being convicted and now jailed for this crime.
"Domestic abuse and violence has a devastating and long-lasting impact on those affected, and we will make every effort to target perpetrators and protect victims and the wider the public from offences of this nature."