South Shields knifeman loses court appeal after 'savage and sustained attack' on partner

Karl Molyneaux was last year imprisoned for 13-and-a-half years after a judge told him “the incident could well have proved fatal”.

Molyneaux, 53, of Eglesfield Road, South Shields, admitted attempting to murder his victim after he “snapped” when she told him she did not want him to visit her home.

The injuries he inflicted upon her to her face, neck, body and arm with a kitchen knife required life-saving surgery and will leave her scarred for life.

Now he has been told that he must continue to serve his sentence after three judges sitting at London’s Court of Appeal rejected his legal challenge.

A full explanation for their decision is expected to be published shortly.

Robin Patton, defending, told Newcastle Crown Court last year that two psychiatrists agreed that Molyneaux did not pose a risk to other people.

He said his client, who was of previous good character, was also "keen to show genuine remorse and shame for what he has done".

But Judge Paul Sloan told Molyneaux, who worked for South Tyneside Council as a care quality commissioner, on passing sentence: "You launched a savage and sustained attack on her with a knife, stabbing and slashing her repeatedly to the face, neck and torso as well as her right arm.

"The injuries represent nine separate actions with the knife.

"The wounds to the neck came perilously close to the carotid artery and the jugular vein.

“Had they been severed, the incident could well have proved fatal.

"It was simply a matter of chance that those vessels were not damaged."

The crown court was earlier told that Molyneaux ignored requests to stay away from his partner’s home on March 11 last year by turning up with flowers and a takeaway.

He then picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed her repeatedly after an argument ensued.

Her children dialled 999 while Molyneaux fled to a nearby petrol station where he called the emergency services himself to confess to them: "I have just stabbed my girlfriend. She will need an ambulance."

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