Man attacked wife with iron boot jack at home

A woman has spoken out after her husband was sentenced to 30 months in prison for attacking her with an iron boot jack in their home.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident in the village of Goldsborough, near Knaresborough,left Carleen Blundell lying in the couple's hallway, covered in blood.

James Blundell, 54, was arrested at the scene where he told officers there was "no excuse" for injuring his partner of 28 years.

At his sentencing earlier, Carleen told York Crown Court: "I was petrified. I thought I was going to die."

Carleen told police she and her husband had an argument following which he hit her in the face and on the head with the boot jack, causing her to fall to the floor.

Officers said after the attack Blundell called an ambulance, telling the call handler: "It's my wife, we've had an argument, I've hurt her, it's my fault, we need the police and we need an ambulance now."

Following the sentencing Carleen spoke out about the violence she suffered at the hands of her husband, who runs a website design agency.

She said: "I am living a completely different life, and I see myself as a survivor, not a victim.

"My aim now is to support others, and spread the word that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there are positive outcomes.

"Like so many people, I was frightened to reach out for help, but in the end it was taken out of my hands."

Det Con Abigail Garford said: "When I first met Carleen she was struggling both mentally and physically.

"She hadn't known life without her abuser for 28 years, and the prospect of rebuilding her life was overwhelming."

In a statement read to the court, Carleen said: "When it happened, I was petrified. I had got used to my husband's rages and violent episodes over the years, but this was the worst it had ever been.

"I thought I was going to die. I felt powerless. I was in shock that it had happened."

Det Con Garford added: "Carleen has worked extremely hard to reconstruct her life.

"With the help of her sons and medical professionals, and her own grit and determination, she now has a new perspective on life.

"She feels a sense of freedom, happiness and gratitude. She deserves nothing less."

James Blundell, who pleaded guilty to wounding with intent at a hearing in January,was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and also received a five-year restraining order.

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