Hayle

Teacher stabbed wife of 29 years so hard knife got stuck in her arm

17 hours agoParsonage, 60, of Commercial Road in Hayle , appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence after admitting causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife. Prosecuting the case, Ed Bailey, said...

cornwalllive.com

Teacher stabbed wife of 29 years so hard knife got stuck in her arm

Brian Parsonage necked half a bottle of neat vodka causing a row

Brian Parsonage

A former teacher and researcher stabbed his wife of 29 years with such force the knife remained lodged in her arm.

Brian Parsonage exploded in a huge fit of rage on September 30 after a row about money, not long after he had been made redundant.

Parsonage, 60, of Commercial Road in Hayle , appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence after admitting causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife.

Prosecuting the case, Ed Bailey, said that Parsonage had never laid a finger on his wife until the day in question but had turned to drink after losing his job.

Detailing events, Mr Bailey said: “Christine Parsonage was angered at the defendant for wasting money and when she realised he’d been drinking an argument flared up.

“The defendant later told police he drank half a bottle of vodka neat and when words were exchange between him and his wife, he went to the kitchen and Mrs Parsonage saw a folding knife in his hands.

“He came at her with the knife and jabbed at her arm and she instinctively raised her arm to defend herself. Such was the force of the blow that the knife went into the side of the victim’s forearm.

“He said to her ‘I hate you, I really hate you, I want to kill you’. The defendant then throttled her and pushed her into the dining room.

“The knife remained sticking into her arm and after some time Mr Parsonage pulled it out and grabbed her by the throat again.”

Mrs Parsonage, afraid for her life, was eventually able to escape and sought refuge at a nearby vets, whereas Mr Parsonage took himself to Hayle Police Station and handed himself in.

The victim was left scared to return to her own home and now wishes to leave Cornwall completely.

Defending Parsonage, Ramsay Quaife described it as “a very unusual and sad case”.

Mr Quaife said: He’s lost his wife, his family and his life but is a man who has given a lot to society working in research facilities and in education teaching in Cornwall for many years.”

Mr Quaife said that Parsonage was suffering financially after losing his job which caused the animosity within the relationship, eventually culminating in the incident.

Sentencing Parsonage, Judge Simon Carr said: “The circumstances behind this case are truly sad. You and the victim were married for 29 years and had a daughter together.

“Finances were tight and one way you dealt with that was to drink to excess which you did on this day.

“There was an argument with your wife over the fact you’d been drinking and you took a knife and stabbed her with sufficient force that the knife penetrated her arm and lodged there.

“You continued to be verbally abusive, attacking her and holding her against a wall.

“The effect on your wife has been obvious. She is severely traumatised and was so scared she not only left the house, but now intends to leave Cornwall.

“You are 60, a man of previous impeccable character and have dedicated your life to education and that’s why I described it as a truly sad case.”

Parsonage was sentenced to 18 months in prison and made subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting his wife.

via https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/teacher-stabbed-wife-29-...