RAJA DAUD UR REHMAN

A 34-year-old man assaulted his pregnant wife by forcibly cutting her hair and then stabbing her in the neck with a kitchen knife, all in view of their one-year-old child.

The woman suffered serious injuries, including a severely injured hand with her little finger hanging loose, when she raised her hand to defend herself during the attack.

The assault occurred at the couple's residence in Middlesbrough, where the defendant, Rehman, carried out an unprovoked attack.

Court records at Teesside Crown Court detailed that he waited until she returned home before kicking her in the head and back, shaving her hair and pulling out some strands, and then punching her.

He then inflicted a knife wound to her neck, which led to her hand injury.

Neighbours who heard the violence contacted the police.

Rehman attempted to persuade his wife to falsely claim responsibility for her injuries and maintained that she caused her own wounds after last year's attack on September 17.

It was also noted that the victim did not give a personal statement, having since traveled to Pakistan.

Rehman, whose address was listed as Pottery Mews, Benson Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to wounding under section 20.

His lawyer, Jonathan Walker, portrayed him as generally of good character prior to the incident and emphasized his remorse.

Walker stated that Rehman fully acknowledged his wrongdoing in what he described as a "cowardly and shameful act," highlighting the guilty plea and Rehman's own apology to his former partner.

The solicitor also said the attack was an uncharacteristic outburst of violence that Rehman found deeply shameful.

During sentencing, Recorder Alex Menary noted that, according to the available evidence, Rehman's conduct appeared out of character.

He sentenced him to 23 months in prison.