Jailed for 'vicious' pin attack

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A man has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of trying to murder his ex-partner with a 4ft 6in (1.2m) metal fencing pin.

Prosecutors said it was a "vicious attack" by Gary Rhodes, 42, on Lynda Green, 40, in a garden in Denbighshire.

Fire crews had to cut the pin from her neck before she could be operated on, Caernarfon Crown Court was told.

The judge said it was a "miracle" the pole did not penetrate Ms Green's heart or the vital blood vessels around it.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC told the construction worker: "That she survived is no thanks to you.

A ruler placed next to the fencing pin to show its length

"The clear motive for attempting to kill her included a financial one borne out of the bitterness you felt when she finally decided she could no longer tolerate your abusive behaviour."

Rhodes, from Old Colwyn, Conwy, had claimed on the day of the attack a mystery man had called at his home offering to intervene with Ms Green and left a note saying he was going to visit her.

He had denied attempted murder but was found guilty on Friday.

The jury heard how Ms Green was in the garden at her sister's house when the 4ft 6in (1.2m) pole was thrust into her neck.

A diagram showing the position of the pole

Giving her evidence, Ms Green, who had broken off their plans for a wedding, said she was unaware exactly what she had been stabbed with.

The court heard how she was having a cigarette and a drink on the steps of the house when she "felt a clunk on the left side of me".

She shouted "I've been stabbed," but had no idea what had happened, she said.

Holding the pin because it was so heavy, she dialled 999 on her mobile phone "and asked for the ambulance - and everybody".

She added: "My neck was feeling heavy, as if someone was pushing it, more uncomfortable than painful."

Ms Green said she did not see or hear anyone in the garden.

However, the prosecution claimed Rhodes spied on his former partner before attacking her.

After the verdict, senior crown prosecutor Julie Jones, said: "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a defenceless and vulnerable victim for which Gary Rhodes has neither acknowledged responsibility nor shown any remorse."

She said throughout the investigation, Rhodes' accounts were "inconsistent and vague".

Ms Jones said Ms Green had suffered a "harrowing ordeal" and continued to live with the consequences.