2002: FORMER FIANCE JAILED FOR PHONE BOX KNIFE ATTACK
A man convicted of inflicting a brutal attack on his former fiancée, including slashing her throat from ear to ear, has been sentenced to nine years in prison.Paul Williams, 32 years old and employed at a poultry company, attacked Elizabeth Pitt, aged 23, in a phone booth in Hereford while she was ending a phone call with her current boyfriend, a court in Worcester heard.
During the assault, Williams also stabbed her five times in the stomach and chest, and after the attack, he threw the weapon over a garden wall.
Williams, who was reportedly depressed and deeply worried that Miss Pitt would give their baby daughter, Emily, up for adoption, pleaded guilty to attempted murder.
The judge, Michael Mott, described the assault as ferocious and noted that it resulted in lifelong scars for the victim.
The relationship, which lasted three years, ended after Miss Pitt obtained a court order against Williams, according to prosecutor Mr.
Marklew.
Despite the injuries, Williams told Miss Pitt, who was left with a 15cm cut, that he would never stop her from seeing Emily.
Blood was described as spurting from her neck "like a fountain" as she crawled out of the phone booth.
Police officers found Williams nearby, and he reportedly told them, "You saved me a taxi fare.
I was coming to see you," indicating he planned to meet her.
In police interviews, Williams admitted that he feared losing the baby and explained his feelings of love for Miss Pitt.
He also revealed that his anger had escalated after drinking a few pints because he discovered she was calling another man.
Miss Pitt expressed concerns to police about her scars and fears that Williams might harm her again once he is released.
Representing Williams, defense lawyer Dele Alakija stated that Miss Pitt showed genuine affection during prison visits, including hugging him tightly.
He described Williams as ordinarily honest and diligent at work but claimed that Miss Pitt had “messed with his mind” and blackmailed him over their child.
Mr.
Alakija said Williams was seeking to make her understand the pain he felt and insisted that he was genuinely remorseful for his actions.
