Man who stabbed partner 29 times told her ‘I have to finish you off, I’m not going to prison for you’

A violent abuser stabbed his partner 29 times in a frenzied attack, before locking her in the house and hiding the key.

However, Martina Turner bravely whispered for help while Steven Wood called his son to confess, before he left the house locking her in.

Wood, 54, viciously assaulted Ms Turner, 53, on 21 May last year inside the kitchen of their home, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear and told her: “I have to finish you off, I’m not going to prison for you.”

He then locked her in the house and left her to die, police said.

Wood, who has bipolar disorder, carried out the ferocious attack after Ms Turner, knows as Tina, told him she would be going out later that day.

Believing she didn’t want to spend time with him, he then took a knife from the kitchen drawer and ran at her from behind, stabbing her so violently the blade snapped.

Undeterred, he selected another knife and continued to attack his partner of two years, despite her begging for her life and pleading with him to call for help.

Wood called his son to confess to doing something ‘bad’

It was only after he plunged a knife into her chest that he called his son and confessed to doing something “bad”.

While the call was taking place, Tina was able to quietly whisper for help, before Wood left the property, locked the doors and hid her key.

Within minutes an emergency response had been triggered and paramedics, officers and the air ambulance were all deployed to the scene.

When officers forced entry, they found Tina hiding in a cupboard and began carrying out life-saving treatment at the scene.

She was taken to hospital with life-changing injuries and stab wounds over her entire body, including her heart, spine, and legs.

Wood was later picked up by the Marine Unit and hospitalised after trying to take his own life.

Once he made a full recovery, he was arrested and remanded in custody.

An investigation was launched by detectives from Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team (MIT) and Wood, who is originally from Liverpool, was later charged with attempted murder.

On Tuesday the 54-year-old, of no fixed abode, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

‘What she has survived is nothing short of miraculous’

Speaking after the hearing, the Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Louise Jenkins from Northumbria Police said: “This was an absolutely horrendous attack with levels of violence no one should ever be subjected to.

“It was only right that Wood admitted his despicable actions to the court and he will now have to accept his fate – which will include a considerable amount of time behind bars.

“Tina is an absolutely remarkable woman and what she has survived is nothing short of miraculous.

“She has a long journey ahead of her, as she continues to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally and I’m sure this attack will stay with her the rest of her life.

“I really hope today allows her to take that first step towards the closure she so desperately deserves and needs.

“This is without a doubt one of the most appalling and shocking cases of domestic abuse I have come across and I hope our communities know that we do not tolerate this type of behaviour and that violence and abuse of any kind should never be condoned.

“My message is to anyone who might be suffering in silence – please come forward and speak to us, we are here for you.”

The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 offers support for women affected by domestic abuse

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