hree years for for husband who stabbed his wife with kitchen knife — (The York Press)

A KNIFEMAN who repeatedly stabbed his estranged wife with a three-inch kitchen knife has been jailed for three years.

Aaron Colin Baker, 41, was sent down at York Crown Court after attacking Dawn Baker, his wife of 24 years, during a domestic dispute in Blossom Street, York, on December 29 last year.His actions triggered an armed police siege in Acomb, which ended when officers carrying guns stormed a property on Ouseburn Avenue, but left empty-handed.

Baker handed himself in to Fulford Road Police Station later the same day after he told a friend: “I think I have hurt my wife, I think I may be in trouble.”

The father-of-five pleaded guilty to wounding at an earlier hearing in March, but the case was adjourned so the defence could get medical reports with a view to asking the judge to confine Baker to a psychiatric unit.

But the report from Baker’s psychiatrist said he was not suffering from any mental disorder that could be treated, and Baker was sentenced to three years in jail.

Judge Stephen Ashurst told Baker: “You attacked Dawn Baker to her abdomen and her lip, and it is only because of good fortune that she was not more seriously injured.

“She must have been terribly frightened by what happened.

Armed police storm Aaron Baker’s home”The evidence is that on that day you were not thinking clearly, but the sad fact is that this is not the first time you have stabbed someone at a time when you have been emotionally upset.”

Baker, formerly of Ouseburn Avenue, off Boroughbridge Road, York, was first convicted of wounding in 1995, after he attacked the social worker who had come to take one of his daughters into care.

Judge Ashurst said: “I have to assume because of that previous appearance in court for a relevant offence that there is a significant risk of serious harm to the public.

“For that reason I am compelled to impose an extended sentence of imprisonment of four-and-a-half years.

“The custodial element is three years and the extension period is 18 months.”

Baker’s barrister, Nicholas Johnson, told the court that at the time of the attack his client had been suffering from adjustment disorder due to the breakdown of his marriage in August 2006.

He said: “He has now moved on.  “He no longer expects or hopes that he will be able to return to his wife.”

He told the court that the turning point had been in April this year, when his client burned his hair off in his cell.  He said: “The fire was a significant changing point for him. In his words, it cleansed him.

“It led to him being taken to hospital, where he was given different medication which was much better in dealing with his depression.”

Baker will be considered for release after serving half his jail term.

11:02am today