Husband gets six years for knife attack

Sep 13 2007 by Deborah James, Liverpool Daily Post

A MERSEYSIDE man who attacked his estranged wife with a knife, leaving her permanently scarred, was jailed for six years yesterday.

Lawrence Mackin was warned that he could be locked up for life, if he was ever violent again.

Judge Henry Globe, QC, Recorder of Liverpool, added: “This was a terrifying experience for her.”

Liverpool Crown Court heard Mackin, 47, had no previous convictions, but his victim claimed he had been violent to her in the past, an allegation he denied.

Graham Pickavance, prosecuting, said Mackin and his wife, Jacqueline, separated in July last year.

The court heard the victim had to undergo surgery following the attack on May 6, when Mackin turned up at her home asking for clothes and declaring his love.

When she rejected his advances, he reached for a carving knife and she dialled 999.

The attack left the victim with wounds to three fingers on her right hand, including severed tendons, nerves and an artery, and her left forearm.

She has been left permanently scarred and has loss of sensation in her right hand.

Mackin, of Roseworth Avenue, Walton, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

Paul Lewis, defending, said Mackin had been affected by the breakdown of his relationship and work pressure at the time.