Shrewsbury man tried to commit suicide in front of wife to punish her over marriage breakdown

Darren O'Callaghan, 51, was sent to jail for the attack in which he kidnapped his wife and tried to decapitate himself. Shrewsbury Crown Court was told how O'Callaghan was seriously injured in the suicide attempt and no longer has a swallow reflex.

After their 12-year relationship ended, O'Callaghan, of Gains Avenue, kidnapped his wife before driving her out to the countryside to carry out his plan.

O'Callaghan's wife told of her anxiety after the attack.

The victim said she was profoundly affected by the trauma of being kidnapped by Darren O'Callaghan, who threatened to kill her before he tried to take his own life.

During the sentencing of O'Callaghan at Shrewsbury Crown Court, prosecutor Adam Western read out a victim personal statement. She explained how she had to be given medical help and that she still feels vulnerable after the event even though the attacker is behind bars.

It said: "I am still affected mentally. I was prescribed anti-depressants.

"My anxiety levels were so bad I could not cope. I am still taking them to this day.

"The medication helps but it does not remove the feelings of anxiety. I hope one day I will be able to stop taking them."

The court heard how the victim continues to have flashbacks to the attack and that the violent episode had had a major impact on her life, forcing her to find a new address in order to protect herself.

She told the court through the statement: "I do still have the odd panic attack.

"I do still find myself looking over my shoulder lots and I do still feel anxious when I am in my taxi alone.

"On the odd occasion I do go out I have to make sure I am in a large group. It would not be possible to go out on my own because of what he did to me.

"As a direct result, I was forced to move house because I was so worried about him coming after me. I still worry about how it will affect me when he gets out of prison."

The court heard how he had removed the back seats from a people carrier, had cable ties and duct tape in the vehicle as well as carrying a knife. He made threats to kill his wife if she tried to escape during the incident on July 30 last year.

The incident happened while O'Callaghan was on bail for assaulting his wife in June last year, in which she was left bruised following an argument. At the time, he was banned from having contact with her.

Recorder Tom Rochford said: "On June 11 last year you had an argument with your wife. You thought she had been unfaithful. She was viciously beaten by you.

"You have a disability from a previous motorcycle accident. You have an amputation to your leg and your right arm is injured. Bearing this in mind, it is clear to me you must have struck her with force and fury to cause those injuries. What happened on July 30 was in a different league from the incident in June. You planned to get your wife in the car, hold her captive with threats and cable ties then commit suicide.

"You hoped that would be a quick end for you but also hideous and grizzly for your wife. The effect this would have had on your wife must have been planned and intended.

"I accept you were so desperate you wanted to kill yourself but you wanted your wife there to punish her. It appears to me you do not recognise fully the effect this has had on your wife. You appear to portray yourself as some sort of victim."

In mitigation, Brendan Reedy said O'Callaghan was not mentally stable at the time of the incident. O'Callaghan was given an extended sentence of nine years and three months after being convicted of kidnap, threats to kill and being in posession of a bladed article or offensive weapon. He also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The custodial element of the sentence is six years and three months, of which he must serve at least two thirds before being eligible to apply for parole.

Upon his release, O'Callaghan will have an extended three-year licence period. He was also given concurrent jail sentences of two years for the threats to kill, six months for possession of an offensive weapon and 10 months for the assault occasioning actual bodily harm.