A MAN who stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s father after planning to kill himself on her driveway has been jailed for eight years, with a three-year-extended licence.
Ben Donnelly, 29, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Friday (August 18) for one count of wounding with intent and one count of possession of an offensive weapon.
He was found guilty at the same court on May 31 of the incident which happened on May 22 last year in Market Lane, Slough. He was acquitted of attempted murder.
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The court heard that Donnelly, of Scholars Walk, Langley, stabbed a 60-year-old man once in the chest and once in the leg at about 1.30am after threatening his ex-girlfriend.
He sent her text messages threatening to kill himself, her, and her parents.
Judge Amjad Nawaz said: “You displayed a controlling element and if it did not go your way, your response to that was one of aggression.
“That became quite clear from the messages that you sent.”
During the trial, Donnelly told the jury he had only intended to go to the home and ‘slit his wrists’ in front of the footage-capturing doorbell as his ex-partner had not been responding to his messages.
He was said he was ‘erratic, suicidal and desperate’ and had consumed various amounts of cocaine and whiskey prior.
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Another message he sent to his ex-partner read: “You should have treated me good,” prior to the incident.
Donnelly was then caught driving past the father’s home on a motorbike at about 1.15pm.
The father heard a crash and went to the door to find the defendant. There was a ‘tussle’ before the father was stabbed twice and the blade broke.
Young children were also in the house at the time but Donnelly told the court he was not aware of this at the time.
A victim impact statement by the father summarised how the incident has led to ‘observable changes in his behaviour’, including avoiding people.
He is also uncomfortable allowing his young grandchildren to stay at the house anymore.
The court heard the injuries sustained were ‘grave but not life-threatening’.
During sentencing, Donnelly appeared via video link from HMP Bullingdon wearing a grey Nike jumper and black glasses.
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The court heard he ‘expresses remorse’ and ‘feels terrible for what’s he done’. His defence barrister added that he feels ‘guilt and shame for all the people he’s hurt’.
He has three convictions for seven previous offences – including one case where he ‘bit’ someone’s ear off in a seemingly unprovoked assault.
Donnelly was also made subject to a restraining order.
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