Jail for pensioner who tried to murder wife in her sleep

A pensioner who tried to murder his wife while she slept has been jailed for more than eight years.

Colin Finch repeatedly stabbed his partner of more than 33 years at their home in Darlington in March this year.

The woman had been asleep when she awoke to 78-year-old Finch attacking her with a knife.

After stabbing her five times, he waited around half an hour before calling an ambulance, telling the operator he had “tried to kill” his wife.

She was rushed to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where she underwent emergency surgery to save her life.

Finch was arrested at the scene and later charged with attempted murder, which he admitted.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday (June 10) where he was jailed for eight years and eight months.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “What Colin has done has broken our family. He has ruined his life as well as mine.

“When Colin was stabbing me, all I could think of was: “Why, why was he doing this? I thought he loved me.” I had no idea what was going to happen.

“Before Colin did what he did, I was recovering from an operation. I did need some assistance, but I was able to get out and about and do some things for myself.

“However, since this incident I have been bedbound and require daily assistance just to live. I no longer have any mobility and have been in hospital ever since.

“My injuries will heal and my scars will fade, but the memory will always be there. I now have to learn to live with a broken heart.”

Detective Constable Daniel Blackwood, from Darlington CID, led the investigation. He said: “Colin Finch carried out a horrific and brutal attack on his own wife while she slept in the home they shared together.

“The level of cruelty he showed to someone he was supposed to love is truly abhorrent.

“I’d like to pay tribute to his wife who has shown tremendous strength following the attack and throughout our investigation.

“I hope this result provides her with some form of comfort that justice has been served and allows her to start rebuilding her life.”