Telford man tried to cut partner with Samurai sword in assault
A man who threatened to kill his partner and tried to cut her with a Samurai sword during a sustained attack at his Telford flat has been jailed for 22 months.
John Dolby turned into "a maniac" when he arrived home with his partner, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Dolby drew the sword over her left wrist during the attack but it was blunt and did not injure her.
Dolby, 44, of King Street, Dawley, admitted assaulting his partner, causing her actual bodily harm in the incident in February this year.
He also admitted being in breach of an 18-month conditional discharge imposed last April for a public order offence.
Dolby was jailed for 20 months on the assault charge and for an additional two months for the breach.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, told the court Dolby and his partner had been in a relationship for nine months.
He said that on the day in question the pair went out for a drink and Dolby smoked some cannabis, after which they went back to his flat.
The court heard the pair had been on friendly terms when they were out drinking but the mood changed when they got to Dolby's flat.
Mr Michael Sherwood-Smith, defending, said the victim had said Dolby did not like her talking about her ex-husband and added: "He was very affectionate but the mood changed when conversation changed to her ex-husband.
"It is from there, according to her, he turned into a maniac."
Mr Jones said Dolby grabbed her round the throat, pulled her to the floor and kicked her in the head, stomach and ribs before drawing the sword across her wrist.
Mr Jones said Dolby told her "I'm going to kill you or I'm going to chop you up".
The court heard Dolby then apologised and tried to kiss his partner but after taking her into the bedroom renewed the attack, grabbing her by the throat and threatening to kill her again.
Mr Sherwood-Smith said alcohol played its part in the majority of Dolby's offending.
The attack continued in the bedroom after a lull and Dolby again grabbed her by the throat and threatened to kill her.
The court was told Dolby had a string of previous convictions, including two for assaulting his partner.
