Oldham man who stabbed his partner in her neck will spend longer in prison
Date published: 21 October 2021
Steven Turnock
A man who violently attacked his partner over two days has had his sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the then Solicitor General.
On the afternoon of Saturday, 15 May 2021 Stephen John Turnock, 40, was at home on Clyde Street, Watersheddings with his partner when they started to argue. The offender flipped over the kitchen table and chased the victim upstairs. Turnock then struck her in the face before cutting her left hand with a knife while she tried to defend herself. He continued to beat her but eventually calmed down.
The next morning, when the victim woke up, Turnock stabbed her several more times, including to the neck and chest. The offender called her a 'slag' and started throwing things at her, including an iron, an X-box and a bottle.
He sprayed a can of deodorant into her mouth, and then used clippers to shave the front section of her hair off.
He then damaged her clothes with the knife, and broke her mobile phone.
After he had left, the victim was able to contact the police.
She had suffered multiple injuries, including four separate stab wounds to her neck and chest, and a laceration to her hand that required surgery.
On 16 August 2021, Turnock was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment for wounding with intent at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. He also had a restraining order imposed on him.
Following the sentence, the then Solicitor General referred Turnock’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. On 21 October the Court of Appeal found his original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 7 years and 6 months’ imprisonment.
Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP said: “This was a shocking and cowardly attack on a defenceless woman. This kind of violence is even more serious for having taken place in the home. I am pleased that Turnock’s sentence has been increased and I hope that the victim finds some comfort in the Court’s decision.”
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