A man has been jailed after a brutal attack on his wife left her fearing she was going to die.
James Blundell was sentenced at York Crown Court to 30 months in prison on Tuesday (24th February).
The 54-year-old, now from Southport, also received a five-year restraining order.
The court heard that on Sunday 24 November 2024, Blundell assaulted his wife, Carleen, at their home in Goldsborough, near Knaresborough.
After the attack, Carleen begged him to call an ambulance. Blundell dialled 999 and told the ambulance service: “It’s my wife, we’ve had an argument, we had a fight, I’ve hurt her, it’s my fault, she’s injured, we need the police and we need an ambulance now.”
Officers from North Yorkshire Police arrived to find Blundell at the front door. Behind him, Carleen was lying in the hallway, covered in blood.
Blundell was arrested at the scene and taken into custody, where he told officers:
“There is no excuse for what I have done… I’ve injured someone potentially fatally I have been with for 28 years.”
Carleen later told police that during an argument, Blundell hit her in the face and then struck her twice on the head with an iron boot jack. She fell to the floor and landed awkwardly, tearing cartilage in her knee.
She said in a personal statement read to the court:
“The incident has affected me in many ways. 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.
"It was the first time I had felt that way. I felt powerless. In the days following the incident I felt disbelief. I was in shock that it had happened.”
Blundell was charged with wounding with intent and pleaded guilty on 21 January this year.
Following his arrest, he was given strict bail conditions preventing him from attending Carleen’s home or contacting her in any way. Those conditions remained in place until his court appearance.
DC Abigail Garford said:
“When I first met Carleen, it was clear that she was struggling both mentally and physically after the attack. She hadn’t known life without her abuser for 28 years, and the prospect of rebuilding her life was overwhelming.”
After the hearing, Carleen spoke about rebuilding her life and supporting others in similar situations.
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.”
Carleen added:
“I have learned from this process that the police are extremely well-versed in these cases, and they are a real lifeline. Like so many people, I was frightened to reach out for help – but in the end it was taken out of my hands.”
DC 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.”
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