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A knife-wielding violent husband is on trial for allegedly trying to kill his wife in front of their son in the middle of a street in Sitra, the High Criminal Court heard yesterday.
His battered, bruised and bloodied Bahraini wife was saved by neighbours who bravely intervened before she was ushered into one of their homes and provided with first aid.
The 44-year-old Bahraini defendant’s knife penetrated the victim’s chest, tearing one of her lungs, as he screamed ‘you will die tonight’, the court heard.
He denies a charge of premeditated attempted murder.
Court documents stated that the 43-year-old woman had just returned from a day trip, and was in her car, when her husband ‘appeared out of nowhere’ and started pouring fuel over the vehicle in an alleged attempt to burn it.
He then smashed the windshield with a hammer. When he moved away from the scene for a moment she took a chance to exit the vehicle and run for her life.
Now brandishing a ‘large knife’, he chased after her. When the terrified woman briefly paused to take a breath she was caught and the blade was plunged into her.
The couple’s brave 13-year-old son jumped out of his dad’s car to try and hold him back, standing between his mum and dad, but to no avail as the attack continued and she suffered a second wound to the chest before being stabbed in the shoulder too.
After hearing screams, several people living close by rushed to the scene to help. An 18-year-old university student grabbed the defendant’s arm, while a 53-year-old woman, witnessing the victim covered in blood, guided her into her home, the court heard.
The severely injured wife was taken to hospital, underwent emergency surgery and spent 48 hours in an intensive care unit.
She was discharged 16 days later but needed to be hospitalised again after six days after complications set in and underwent further surgery.
A medical report stated that the knife had plunged 3cm to 4cm into her chest, leaving her with a torn and bruised lung as well as internal bleeding.
“The attack targeted vital organs and blood vessels, and it is considered a life-threatening assault,” read the court report. “The victim’s life was saved with surgery.”
According to the victim, her husband had threatened to run her over with his car just the day before the incident. He reportedly repeated the phrase: ‘I am done – you’ll die and I’ll go to prison’, judges were told.
“I came back from a women’s trip organised by a local society,” the woman told the Public Prosecution.
“I left the bus and went to my car, parked outside the building, when I noticed that my husband stopped his car behind mine to prevent me from leaving. He tried to open the window but I was so afraid, and I called the police.” She also recounted begging for her life.
The defendant admitted to the offence during prosecution hearings but denied them before judges, who heard that his criminal record showed a long history of charges and convictions concerning domestic violence, abuse and harassment.
The hearing was adjourned to April 26 for the defence to make its case.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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