A spurned man has been jailed after stabbing his ex-girlfriend’s new partner, leaving him just half an hour from death.
Jealous Peter Barton, 40, was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of 18 years after being found guilty of the attempted murder of Sam Cook at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday.
Barton, of Railway Street, Gillingham, was handed an indeterminate sentence of 18 years and must serve a minimum of nine years behind bars.
A parole board will then decide whether Barton is still a risk to the public before he is eligible for release.
The judge labelled Barton as “obsessive and jealous” and said he had “carefully prepared and planned the attack on Mr Cook”.
The court heard that Barton had previously been in a relationship with victim Sam Cook’s girlfriend between 2005 and January 2008.
When the relationship ended Barton threatened to injure or kill any new man she met.
He reiterated this threat in November of last year, when his ex-girlfriend began dating Mr Cook.
Barton carried out his promise the following month.
On Monday, December 8 Barton left his daughter’s house stating he was going to the shops.
Unbeknown to his family, he left with a double quilt and a knife.
Barton drove to his ex girlfriend’s house in a relative’s car, waited for Sam Cook to leave and then followed him.
After parking the car in Alamein Avenue, Chatham, Barton pursued Mr Cook on foot.
He then plunged his knife into the 20-year-old’s back as he walked along Walderslade Road, Chatham.
He then stood over his victim – who was bleeding to death – and pretended to call the emergency services on his mobile phone.
Mr Cook managed to flag down a passing police patrol car and was raced to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
The knife had penetrated his spleen, which had to be removed, and caused blood to build up between his lungs and chest wall.
Investigating officer Det Insp Gavin Moss told the court: “Sam's injuries were life threatening and it is likely he would have died had he been found just half an hour later.
“Barton has remained unremorseful throughout this trial and I am pleased the jury have delivered this verdict. A dangerous man has been removed from our community.”
POSTED: 13/11/2009 14:26:16
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