Thomas Britnell, a 40-year-old man with 10 previous convictions for carrying weapons, has been jailed for 28 months after threatening to kill his bedbound girlfriend with a steak knife. Liverpool Crown Court heard how Britnell, formerly of Haven Road in Fazakerley, stabbed at the woman's head with a knife during an attack in March this year, leaving multiple puncture marks in the pillow beside her.
Attack on bedbound partner
At around 1.30pm on March 20, Britnell dialled 999 after suffering a fall. During the 20-minute call, he threatened to kill himself and told the operator he was "like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," saying one side of him was telling him to stab his victim while the other was telling him to stop.
Prosecutor Iain Criddle described the call as "frankly harrowing," noting the fear audible in the complainant's voice. Britnell armed himself with a steak knife from the kitchen and "charged towards" his girlfriend in the bedroom, holding the weapon to her throat while shouting threats to kill both himself and her.
Mr Criddle told the court Britnell plunged the knife towards her head on several occasions, forcing her to move her head out of the way. A picture of the pillow, seen by the ECHO, showed around a dozen puncture marks. Police arrived to find Britnell "straddling her on the bed" and had to restrain him using incapacitant spray.
History of violence
Britnell's criminal record includes 10 convictions for possession of weapons and knives between 2006 and 2016, as well as six for violent offences. He was jailed for five years for wounding in 2013 after stabbing another partner.
In 2016, Britnell was found walking along Lark Lane with a 12-inch kitchen knife, having been spotted by a concerned passer-by. He was jailed for 20 months on that occasion, with Judge Dennis Watson KC warning him: "The carrying of knives in public is something which gives rise to huge public concern."
In May last year, Britnell was convicted of battery and stalking against his latest victim, receiving a community order and a restraining order. He breached the order twice in 2025.
Sentencing
Britnell admitted making threats with an offensive weapon in a private place and making threats to kill. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a black Castore t-shirt and glasses, he was jailed for 28 months.
Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne said: "She is, and was at the time, physically vulnerable, being bedbound due to a spinal disability. You acted as her carer." The judge noted that Britnell was undergoing a mental health crisis when he telephoned 999, but the incident progressed with him becoming angry at the victim.
A new restraining order will prevent Britnell from contacting his former partner indefinitely.
