An elderly man who attempted to murder his wife as she slept has been jailed. Colin Finch repeatedly knifed his partner of over 33 years at their Darlington home in March this year.
The woman had been sleeping when she woke to find 78-year-old Finch launching the attack with a blade. After inflicting five stab wounds, he lingered for approximately half an hour before dialling emergency services, informing the call handler he had 'tried to kill' his wife.
She was rushed to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where she received life-saving emergency surgery. Finch was detained at the scene and subsequently charged with attempted murder, to which he pleaded guilty.
Court Proceedings
The case was heard at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday (June 10), where Finch received a sentence of eight years and eight months.
Victim Impact Statement
In her victim impact statement, the woman revealed: 'What Colin has done has broken our family. He has ruined his life as well as mine.'
'When Colin was stabbing me, all I could think of was: Why, why was he doing this? I thought he loved me. I had no idea what was going to happen.'
'Before Colin did what he did, I was recovering from an operation. I did need some assistance, but I was able to get out and about and do some things for myself.'
'However, since this incident I have been bedbound and require daily assistance just to live. I no longer have any mobility and have been in hospital ever since. My injuries will heal and my scars will fade, but the memory will always be there. I now have to learn to live with a broken heart.'
Police Statement
Detective Constable Daniel Blackwood, from Darlington CID, spearheaded the investigation. He stated: 'Colin Finch carried out a horrific and brutal attack on his own wife while she slept in the home they shared together.'
'The level of cruelty he showed to someone he was supposed to love is truly abhorrent.'
'I'd like to pay tribute to his wife who has shown tremendous strength following the attack and throughout our investigation. I hope this result provides her with some form of comfort that justice has been served and allows her to start rebuilding her life.'
