Blackpool pensioner who stabbed friend escapes jail

11:13am Friday 16th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A pensioner who stabbed a woman friend after a drinking session has escaped an immediate custodial sentence.

Preston Crown Court was told that afterwards Ronald Fretwell and his victim Irene Wilding hatched a plan to tell police another man was responsible for the attack.

To add substance to the claim, Fretwell also injured himself.

Fretwell, 66, of Braithwaite Street, Blackpool, admitted unlawful wounding.

He was sentenced to 32 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and he will also be supervised for two years.

Mr Duncan Birrell, prosecuting, told the court the offence took place on December 20 last year.

He said Fretwell and Ms Wilding had known each other since 1981 and both had been drinking.

"There came a point when the defendant took hold of a black handled kitchen knife.

"Ms Wilding thought he was going to make something to eat.

"He jabbed her twice to her right breast area," said Mr Birrell.

She noticed blood coming through her clothing and Fretwell called for an ambulance because they could not stop the bleeding.

It was decided to tell police that a man had come into the flat.

Fretwell had significant injury when the ambulance came.

"The injury was inflicted on himself to prevent suspicion being cast upon himself," said Mr Birrell.

Ms Wilding had sustained two puncture wounds.

Mr David Traynor, defending, said: "The two of them were drinking.

"They were messing around together and she was stabbed.

"He did not intend to cause the injury and he cannot give any reason why or how it happened.

"He accepted his guilt and pleaded guilty. The injury suffered was minor."

At the time Fretwell was drinking one and a half litres of cider a day and he had reduced that to a couple of cans of beer.

Fretwell had not been in contact with Ms Wilding due to his bail conditions.

Recorder Paul O'Brien said the attack had been "unprovoked and unexpected".

"It is very lucky for you and for her that the injury was not more serious," he said.