FENCE: Couple’s ‘votatile, yet loving’ relationship continues after knife attack

Burnley Crown Court heard how Kamran Rafiq (36) had stabbed a pillow inches away from Catherine Todd’s head. Miss Todd, the defendant’s partner of 17 years, could feel the knife but not any pain and only knew she had been cut when blood trickled into her ear and hair.

Miss Todd and Rafiq then both fell asleep. The next morning officers arrived after she tried to unlock the door and set off the burglar alarm which was wired to the police station. She was distressed and had a cut to her face but would not say what had happened.

The hearing was told Miss Todd refused to co-operate with the police or crown prosecution service and had written a letter saying she had gone away and would not be back until the case was over. In the letter, read out by Judge Beverly Lunt, she stated she and the defendant were happy and she wanted to be left alone.

Rafiq, of Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, on July 18th. The defendant was given an eight-month jail term, has served five and a half months on remand and was released.

The judge warned Rafiq, who has a conviction for driving at a car the victim and her mother were in, and said: “This behaviour must stop.”

Miss Sarah Statham (prosecuting) said the defendant and victim had held a birthday party for their five-year-old child and then went to bed. In the early hours, Rafiq woke the victim accusing her of making noises in her sleep and of seeing other men. He tried to look through her mobile phone, began to get more aggressive and locked the bedroom door.

Rafiq was later arrested. He denied using a knife or causing any injury. He accepted he had stabbed the pillow and said he had taken drugs that night and couldn’t remember a lot.

Mr Gerard Doran (defending) said the relationship between the couple was “volatile, yet loving.” Miss Todd had visited him twice a week in prison and he intended to continue their relationship.