A crazed knifeman has admitted trying to kill his partner in a frenzied attack at a Gateshead home.
Steven Wood, 54, of no fixed abode, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Martina Turner.
The victim, known as Tina, was stabbed 29 times during the attack in their kitchen in Gateshead, on May 21 last year and he then locked her in the house and left her to die.
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Wood, who has bipolar, carried out the ferocious attack after Tina, 53, told him she would be going out later that day.
Believing she didn’t want to spend time with him, Wood took a knife from the kitchen drawer and ran at her from behind, stabbing her so violently the blade snapped.
Undeterred, he selected another knife and continued to attack his partner of two years, despite her begging for her life and pleading with him to call for help.
It was only after he plunged a knife into her chest that he called his son and confessed to doing something “bad.”
While the call was taking place, Tina was able to quietly whisper for help, before Wood left the property, locked the doors and hid her key.
Within minutes an emergency response had been triggered and paramedics, officers and the air ambulance were all deployed to the scene. When officers forced entry, they found Tina hiding in a cupboard and began carrying out life-saving treatment at the scene.
She was taken to hospital with life-changing injuries and stab wounds over her entire body, including her heart, spine, and legs.
Wood was later picked up by the Marine Unit and hospitalised after trying to take his own life. Once he made a full recovery he was arrested and remanded in custody.
Speaking after the hearing, Detective Inspector Louise Jenkins, from Northumbria Police said: “This was an absolutely horrendous attack with levels of violence no one should ever be subjected to.
“It was only right that Wood admitted his despicable actions to the court and he will now have to accept his fate – which will include a considerable amount of time behind bars.
“Tina is an absolutely remarkable woman and what she has survived is nothing short of miraculous. She has a long journey ahead of her, as she continues to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally and I’m sure this attack will stay with her the rest of her life.
“I really hope today allows her to take that first step towards the closure she so desperately deserves and needs.
“This is without a doubt one of the most appalling and shocking cases of domestic abuse I have come across and I hope our communities know that we do not tolerate this type of behaviour and that violence and abuse of any kind should never be condoned
“My message is to anyone who might be suffering in silence – please come forward and speak to us, we are here for you.”
At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Paul Sloan QC told Wood: "I'm adjourning sentence in your case to the 4th of March and you will be produced in person at court on that date.
"The fact I'm adjourning sentence and that further reports will be prepared is not an indication of the sentence that will be imposed.
"You will already have been advised you face an immediate custodial sentence.
"Pending sentence, you will be remanded in custody."
The case was adjourned for sentence in March while psychiatric reports are compiled on Wood.
