Beauty therapist who was stabbed five times by ex boyfriend in horrific attack is praised by judge for her bravery
A BEAUTY therapist has been praised by a judge after a beast who stabbed her five times was jailed. Zahra Rechelle’s ex took her hostage and attacked her after she ended their 20-month on-off romance. A court heard how Aaron Booth, 27, broke into her home and held her captive before a stand-off with police […]
A BEAUTY therapist has been praised by a judge after a beast who stabbed her five times was jailed.
Zahra Rechelle’s ex took her hostage and attacked her after she ended their 20-month on-off romance.
A court heard how Aaron Booth, 27, broke into her home and held her captive before a stand-off with police lasting three hours.
He then dragged her into the street by her hair and stabbed her in the stomach and legs as cops looked on in Glossop, Derbys.
Zahra, 31, had previously been too frightened to report Booth for his violent and controlling behaviour over fears social services would take away her young son from a previous relationship.
The mum-of-one was treated for her wounds and later agreed to give evidence against Booth over the attack in February — fearing that he would harm other women.
She told Manchester Crown Court: “It was always like walking on egg shells with him – he is just not a nice person and he used to make me feel really on edge all the time.
“I lost loads of weight. I wasn’t eating or sleeping. He was horrible to me. I felt frightened as I knew when he was going to switch.
“He never gave me time to think on my own and to be on my own. He would say he was never going to hurt me – but he did.”
‘FULL-FORCE PUNCHES’
Judge Richard Mansell QC praised Zahra for giving evidence.
He told her: “You have been brave in the extreme. You have not just protected yourself, you have protected other women.”
Prosecuting Neil Fryman told the court how Booth followed Zahra home after she was out at a pub with work colleagues.
Booth broke into her home by smashing a window as she threatened to call police.
Mr Fryman said: “He pinned her down on the carpet in the lounge, released her to the floor by the throat, he punched her over and over to the face.
“She didn’t know what made him get off her but he did, she tried to put her arms round him to calm him down in a cuddling motion, the force of the punches was ’10 out of 10′.
“He got up and went to the kitchen, she took her opportunity to escape she fled out of the front door shouting for help she had no shoes on.
The officer saw the knife which the defendant was holding at her throat and then at her chest.
Prosecuting Neil Fryman
“She kept running and remembers waking up on the floor with lots of police around.
“She remembers he was on top of her outside and she was trying to cover her face. She did see him with the same knife in his hand and this time there was blood on the handle, blade and on his face.
“The defendant was seen holding her by the hair holding the knife up and then stabbing the victim as the police were there. He then blamed the police saying it was all the police’s fault.
“Officers saw Zahra being stabbed three times to her stomach area, she was dragged into the middle of the road by her hair.
“The officer saw the knife which the defendant was holding at her throat and then at her chest.”
Zahra had stitches to her mouth, hand, stomach and to three different areas of her leg and will be scarred for life.
She also suffered cuts to her lip and her right eye socket was fractured.
Sara Haq, his counsel, said in mitigation: “He fully acknowledges his appalling behaviour on the night of this incident and acknowledges nothing can ever explain or justify his behaviour in any way.
“He wishes to extend his apology directly to the victim but in the weeks leading up to this incident there were hopes of a future relationship between both parties.
“He should have kept away rather than let his emotions get the better of him this night.”
Booth, also of Glossop, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, assault by beating, escaping custody and possession of a bladed article following the stabbing last February 2.
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His not guilty plea to attempted murder was accepted.
Booth was jailed for 14 years after admitting grievous bodily harm with intent, assault by beating, escaping custody and possessing a blade.
He has a history of violence, including attacking another ex. The judge called him “dangerous”.
How can I report domestic abuse?
Domestic violence is a serious crime, which should be reported to the police on 101.
If it’s an emergency, or you are in immediate danger, call 999 immediately.
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