A man violently stabbed a Good Samaritan with a shard of glass multiple times and left him with life-threatening injuries following a row involving his ex-partner.
Stephen Bloomfield, 35, became enraged after the victim offered his ex-partner, Samantha Daley, 29, a place to stay on March 29, 2020. It was soon after that "all hell broke loose", and Bloomfield began violently attacking the man, severing an artery in his wrist, resulting in blood spraying all over the home. Bloomfield's ex, Daley, was also briefly involved at the very start of the attack, hitting the man over the head.
On Monday, Bloomfield and Daley, both of Ulverston Gardens, Gateshead, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for their involvement in the incident. Bloomfield, who appeared via link from HMP Durham, was sentenced for wounding with intent and assault of an emergency worker. Daley was sentenced for unlawful wounding. Both defendants denied the charges but were found guilty following a joint trial.
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The court heard that before the incident, Bloomfield went to the victim's home after drinking alcohol. The victim had offered Bloomfield's ex, Daley, a place to stay, and he was "not happy" about it. Judge James Adkin said: "Within 10 minutes, all hell broke loose and you argued with your ex and said you owned her. When the victim intervened, you attacked him and punched him."
Gareth Henderson-Moore, prosecuting, said Bloomfield hit the man over the head with a "candle jar" before escalating the "vicious attack". The court was told that Bloomfield then stabbed the man "multiple times with a shard of glass", severing an artery in his left wrist, causing blood to spray over the walls and floors of his home. Daley was said to be a "lesser participant" in the incident, and was only involved in the very beginning when she hit the man over the head.
Mr Henderson-Moore said that "grave injury" was caused and the victim, who also had teeth knocked out, had to be taken to hospital and resuscitated. He said: "The injuries were quite serious and life threatening." The court was told Bloomfield carried out the attack while under investigation for a separate incident committed on January 30, 2020, when he resisted arrest and bit a police officer's arm. Mr Henderson-Moore said Bloomfield - who has a "bad criminal record" - only released his grip when he was hit several times in the back by the officer.
Mark Styles, defending Bloomfield, said he did not go to the victim's address armed. He said: "It blew up very quickly because of the fact all participants were in drink and there had been ongoing chat between them. It was not a planned offence. He has two children and he realises that offences of violence have to be things of the past." He added: "He was bewildered by the developments and didn't go there to cause trouble, he regrets going there."
Tony Davis, defending Daley, said she was only involved at the "beginning of the incident" and has two children, one of which is very young. The court heard her involvement was "limited from the outset".
Judge Adkin jailed Bloomfield for 13 years and sentenced Daley to 20 months prison, suspended for two years. She must also complete 40 rehabilitation days and 180 hours unpaid work.
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