John Nowland jailed for five years for stabbing his partner in front of their children
A father-of-six said his partner was “lucky” he used a dodgy knife after he brutally stabbed her in front of their distressed children.
A woman believed she was going to die after her long-term partner stood over her with a blood-stained knife after repeatedly stabbing her.
John Robert Nowland, 38, told police his partner was lucky he used a dodgy knife after the vicious attack in front of their children.
The Adelaide District Court on Monday heard the victim was Nowland’s partner of 18 years, who he shares six children with.
Nowland confronted his partner in the bedroom about cheating allegations before he physically assaulted her on January 8, 2021.
The struggle moved to the kitchen before the victim ran to the front yard.
Nowland grabbed a knife and followed her.
“You caught up to (the victim) … and stabbed her in the back at the base of her neck,” Judge Jo-Anne Deuter said during sentencing.
The victim collapsed to the ground and Nowland stood over her with the knife and yelled several times that he was going to kill her.
“Your children were all out in the front yard and witnessed this horrific attack upon their mother,” Judge Deuter said.
The court heard a neighbour tried to pull Nowland away but he stabbed the victim again to the neck and once to the thigh.
The 20cm knife was used with such force the handle was separated from the blade.
The court heard the victim believed she was going to die during the attack.
“She was terrified for the children and the fact that you did not seem to care that they were there and witnessing the brutal attack on her,” Judge Deuter said.
When Nowland was arrested, he told police the victim was lucky he had used a dodgy knife.
“You told police you had consumed five points of crack over the proceeding 48-hours,” Judge Deuter said.
Nowland, of Munno Para, pleaded guilty to causing harm with intent.
The court heard Nowland was ashamed and remorseful for his offending and had sought help for his mental health issues.
The court heard Nowland’s partner, who was the victim, remains supportive of him.
Judge Deuter sentenced Nowland to five years and nine months jail, with a non-parole period of three years and six months.
“Your offending is a very serious and horrifying example of domestic violence,” she said.
“The psychotic episode was caused once again by the evils of methamphetamine use.”
The sentence was backdated to January 8, 2021.
