Man jailed for repeatedly stabbing his wife

A man has been jailed after he admitted stabbing his wife, leaving her needing blood transfusions and a chest drain.

Shibu Mathews, 52, had denied attempted murder but had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent at the home he shared with Souyma Varghese, his wife of 22 years, in Sincil Bank, Lincoln, on 27 August last year.

He was cleared of the attempted murder charge but on Wednesday he was sentenced to eight years in prison for the wounding offence.

It followed a three-day trial at Lincoln Crown Court in which the prosecution said Mathews crept up behind Varghese and repeatedly stabbed her in the back as she folded some washing.

Emergency services went to the scene after being called by both Mathews and a neighbour.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, told the jury: "During that call to the police, [Mathews] said his wife had attacked him and he had attacked her in response."

Police found a kitchen knife with a broken handle underneath a table and Varghese was taken hospital.

A pathologist found she had suffered at least five sharp wounds to her chest and collarbone during the attack.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices