A man who stabbed his partner in the leg with a screwdriver in a “sudden, unprovoked and spontaneous act” has been jailed.
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A jury found Kurt Stanley Arnol guilty of wounding and assault following a trial in the Launceston Supreme Court last month.
The jury heard from the victim, who was in a relationship with Arnol at the time of the attacks.
The first attack was in November last year when Arnol stabbed her in the leg.
A month later, he turned up at her house and the couple began arguing.
Arnol assaulted her by strangling her with belts and punching her to the face.
When she attempted to flee the house, he chased her down the street, carrying a large kitchen knife.
Handing down his sentence on Friday, acting Justice Pierre Slicer said Arnol had caused the woman fear and led her to believe she was going to die.
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Acting Justice Slicer said the couple were in a “volatile relationship” and both had admitted to using drugs during the trial. He described Arnol’s criminal history as “lengthy”, noting his “difficult upbringing”.
Arnol was previously convicted of “repeated acts of dishonesty”, which included burglary, stealing, motor vehicle stealing, dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage and breaching bail. He had also been charged with drug offences in the past and assaulting a police officer.
In 2011, he was jailed for two years for intentionally causing bodily harm to another person.
Acting Justice Slicer referred to the “nature of the attack” and the trauma experienced by the victim as a result of the assaults and having to give evidence on a trial.
“The court accepts Mr Arnol has taken steps to address his drug problem, has led a difficult life, and has some hope of getting his life together,” he said.
“Nevertheless his conduct and treatment of a young woman requires a significant term of imprisonment.”
He convicted Arnol and sentenced him to three years and six months in prison, which was backdated to May 1, 2017. Arnol will be eligible for parole after two years.