Partner guilty of murder attempt

A rejected partner who cut his own throat after trying to strangle his childhood sweetheart has been found guilty of attempted murder.

John Warner, who thought he had killed victim Paula Glanville, was remanded in custody yesterday after a unanimous verdict by jurors at Stafford Crown Court yesterday following a five-day trial. The 49-year-old attacked Mrs Glanville after she told him their two-year relationship was over.

Warner, of Birch Lane, Rugeley, was convicted of throttling Mrs Glanville into unconsciousness.

He was cleared of making a threat to kill Mrs Glanville, who he had known since childhood.

The jury heard that Warner believed he was her "knight in shining armour" after rescuing her from a past relationship. But their relationship was troubled because of his jealousy.

On July 19 after they had been out drinking, they had another argument. Warner flew across the room and attacked Mrs Granville, pressing his hands into her throat until she blacked out.

He did not try to help her or call an ambulance. He used a carving knife to cut his throat before sitting down beside her.

Mrs Glanville, aged 44, woke up to find Warner lying in a pool of blood.

Warner had denied attempted murder and told jurors he "hated himself" for attacking her.

Mrs Justice Julia Macur told Warner: "What you did that night was clearly out of character and at a time of great emotional stress, nevertheless, you intended to kill Paula Glanville."

Warner will be sentenced at a later date.

Speaking after the verdict, Mark Forster, from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "This case is unfortunately not unusual as domestic violence incidents make up 16 per cent of violent crime and on average two woman a week are killed by domestic violence."