Oswaldtwistle man stabbed wife - then literally rubbed salt in wound (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Oswaldtwistle man stabbed wife - then literally rubbed salt in wound

4:00pm Wednesday 30th November 2011 in Oswaldtwistle By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter

A THUG plunged a kitchen knife into his wife’s thigh in an attack in their bedroom and then literally rubbed salt in the wound, a court heard.

Gary Parker, 48, who had five previous convictions for violence against the victim, vulnerable Marianne Parker, left her badly bleeding, apologised and ‘inexplicably’ applied the salt.

She was taken to hospital only after she went to a friend's home, upset and badly injured.

Parker has now been jailed for three and a half years.

Burnley Crown Court was told how both the defendant and victim were alcoholics.

Parker's barrister claimed this time there was no prospect of he and his wife being reconciled on his release from prison.

Parker, formerly of Cross Street, Oswaldtwistle, admitted wounding and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Prosecutor Louise Whaites said the relationship had been volatile and they had lived a disorganised life.

On January 9, Mrs Parker was at home when the defendant returned. Both had been drinking and Mrs Parker had been on anti-depressants and medication for anxiety.

Miss Whaites said Parker was agitated, abusive and threw crockery around.

He then punched his wife in the face repeatedly before the pair went to bed.

Parker found a knife, which his wife had put under the pillow for peace of mind, and was angry, the court heard.

They struggled, Parker caught his wife’s temple and then plunged the knife into her thigh.

He later tried to persuade her not to give evidence.

Recorder Anthony Cross, QC, said: “You did what a lot of abusive husbands do, you looked for excuses.

"You were remanded in custody and sought to put pressure on your wife to avoid the consequences of your actions.”