A 26-year-old man has admitted attempting to murder his ex-partner in a sustained attack on an Edinburgh street while she was taking their young daughter to a doctor's appointment.
Attack on Duke Street
Osarenkhoe Atutie left Victory Atutie with 12 separate injuries after repeatedly stabbing her in the assault on Duke Street, Leith, on November 11 last year. He admitted the attempted murder during a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday and is due to be sentenced next month.
The court heard the couple had married in Nigeria before coming to the UK, where they had a daughter. They initially lived in London but, following a breakdown in the relationship, Ms Atutie moved to Edinburgh with their child.
Child witnessed the attack
On the day of the attack, Ms Atutie was taking her daughter for a doctor's appointment when the 26-year-old approached them. The child saw him first and shouted 'daddy, daddy', but Ms Atutie initially did not believe her, thinking he was in London. However, when she caught sight of him she 'immediately panicked'.
Atutie came up to them and lifted the cover of the buggy before giving his daughter a hug. He then told Ms Atutie: 'I brought a knife, I will show you.' Prosecutor Catriona MacLeod said Ms Atutie continued walking, with Atutie alongside her. 'The accused was angry, she was scared because she knew he was going to hurt her,' Ms MacLeod said.
Bystanders intervened
At one point, Ms Atutie tried to get the attention of a man standing nearby, shouting 'he's going to hurt me, he's going to hurt me.' However, the man did not act, telling police afterwards Atutie had seemed 'calm'. Ms MacLeod said Atutie then attacked her, grabbing her hair and repeatedly stabbing her in the head and body with a knife described as having a silver blade and being around 10cm in length.
The attack ended when three bystanders ran over and held Atutie on the ground until emergency services arrived. Ms Atutie was left with 12 separate injuries, including to her face, neck, torso and hand. She was taken to hospital where she was found to have suffered a collapsed lung and a haemothorax – fluid in the chest cavity – which the court heard was potentially fatal.
Victim's recovery and impact
She was discharged four days later, and although she made a full recovery, she has been left with 'scarring at the site of her injuries'. Following his arrest, Atutie was taken to St Leonard's police station, where he told officers: 'I am sorry things have got like this.'
Judge Lord Cubie told Atutie he had pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his ex-partner. 'There seemed to be a sustained attack and 12 separate injuries are recorded,' he said. 'This is a very serious offence with lifelong consequences in relation to the complainer, who was left with significant physical injuries, scarring to her face, and profound and deep psychological trauma.'
Atutie appeared in court dressed in a blue fleece and purple trousers, and spoke only to confirm his name and his guilty plea. The judge ordered a criminal justice social work report to be drawn up ahead of a sentencing hearing in Stirling on August 5.
