Nigel Pascoe QC successfully defends man accused of attempted murder

A man who admitted punching his former partner while holding a knife has been acquitted of attempted murder and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Michael Kilby entered a guilty plea to the lesser offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm and to a charge of criminal damage during a six day trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The jury heard that Mr Kilby, who had returned to the UK after five weeks working overseas to find that his partner had married another man and was now pregnant, went to his former home to collect his property. There he became involved in a fight with his former partner and her new husband during which he was punched unconscious by the husband, which he said led him to take the knife from the kitchen which later caused his former partner’s head injuries.

The jury convicted Mr Kilby of possessing a knife in a public place, but acquitted on the major counts of attempted murder, GBH with intent and actual bodily harm against the woman’s husband. Mr Kilby was sentenced to 3 years 9 months for the offences of inflicting grievous bodily harm, criminal damage and possessing a bladed article.

Nigel Pascoe QC led and was instructed by Kevin Hill of Hill Twine Solicitors in Bournemouth.