Redruth Man Sentenced for Samurai Sword Attack on Partner in Front of Child

A man who attacked his partner with a Samurai sword in front of her six-year-old son has avoided an immediate prison sentence. Claire Moore had challenged Nicholas Kennedy, her partner of 20 years, after becoming suspicious that he was seeing another woman. Kennedy, who was very drunk, became angry and agitated, picked up a Samurai sword, held it above his head and brought it down on the duvet. It struck Miss Moore on the ankle, fracturing a bone, and she bled heavily from cuts and bruises. Kennedy threatened to kill her if she had spoken to the other woman. There was a further argument before he fell asleep. Miss Moore left with her son and went to her mother’s home. Kennedy, a 49-year-old aircraft engineer formerly of Tremore Road, Redruth, and now living in Somerset, pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Miss Moore in Redruth last August. Prosecutor Philip Lee told Truro Crown Court that Miss Moore became suspicious when she saw Kennedy had been texting another woman. Kennedy, who was working in Yeovil at the time, initially denied the relationship but Miss Moore telephoned the other woman who expressed surprise as she thought they were no longer together. Defense counsel Piers Norsworthy mentioned Kennedy’s previous conviction for three assaults on Miss Moore and her two sisters on Boxing Day 1997, and revealed that Kennedy had been stabbed during that incident. Kennedy was supporting Miss Moore and their son financially, paying about £2,000 a month, which covered mortgage and household expenses. The chances of him finding similar work would be slim if he was jailed. The judge, Recorder Simon Levene, stated that the domestic dispute originated from Kennedy’s bad behaviour. The use of the sword in front of the child, the serious injury to Miss Moore, and her leaving her home were significant factors. Kennedy had pleaded guilty, shown remorse, and was active in supporting his family, which influenced the decision. The court suspended a ten-month jail sentence for two years and ordered Kennedy to participate in a domestic abuse programme and alcohol treatment, as well as remain under supervision.