Man jailed for stabbing partner in the face

Richard Flower, 39, attacked his long-term partner with a knife because he thought she was cheating on him

A man who attempted to murder his partner, leaving her with life-changing facial injuries which may mean she can never smile properly again, has been jailed for 23 years.

Surrey Police said 39-year old Richard Flower, from Sunbury-on-Thames, attacked his long-term partner with a knife as she slept on the sofa on 25 August 2024.

The force, who described the incident as "horrific", said an episode of poor mental health led Flower to believe he was being cheated on.

On Friday, Guildford Crown Court also sentenced him to a further four years on extended licence as a "dangerous offender".

The attack happened in the early morning after Flower became convinced his partner had cheated on him during a short visit to the bathroom.

Following hours of interrogation, the victim went to sleep on the sofa but was attacked "when she had no opportunity to see him coming or defend herself", police said.

Initially the victim believed she had been punched but realised when she tried to stand that she had been stabbed twice in the face.

She also sustained further defensive injuries to her hand and arm.

In her police statement, Flower's victim said: "The injury to my jaw line, where the weapon has made impact with the main nerve which affects my ability to smile, may never be repairable and I have been advised I may never be able to smile again properly.

She added that "the mental and physical scars Richard has left behind will be there forever" and "no amount of prison time will make up for what he has done".

Det Sgt Ali Bagshaw from Surrey Police expressed "utmost admiration" for the victim and added that the force would "always take reports of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls seriously".