'Callous' thug subjected woman to degrading knife attack after cocaine-fuelled threesome in Wakefield

The victim had to run from a flat in Crigglestone semi naked to call for help as she feared she was going to killed by Daniel Butler.

Leeds Crown Court heard Butler turned violent after he and the woman had taken part in a sex session with another man at the property.

Fiona McNeil, prosecuting, said all three had spent the evening drinking in pubs in Wakefield and had taken cocaine during the night out.

They returned to the flat on August 17 where sex took place.

Shortly afterwards the two men began arguing and a scuffle broke out between them.

The woman ran to the bathroom and locked the door as the two men continued to struggle.

Ms McNeil said the woman heard someone leave the flat.

Butler then entered the bathroom holding a knife.

The defendant shouted abuse, calling her a 's***' and a 'b****'.

The woman went to climb out of the window but was unable to as it was on the first floor.

Butler approached her with the weapon and forced her to the floor.

She felt the knife pressing against her ribs. Butler then pressed the weapon against her neck area, causing cuts.

The woman screamed and Butler told her she had ten seconds to leave the flat.

She left her bag behind and ran from the property wearing just her underwear and a t-shirt.

The victim ran out into the road and asked a man to drive her away from the area in his van.

He drove the woman to an Asda store where she was seen on CCTV footage running inside and asking for help.

She received treatment for cuts to her neck and torso.

Butler was arrested later that day close Wakefield city centre outside the Butcher's Arms pub.

He was in possession of the woman's bag which contained two knives.

Butler denied attacking the woman when interviewed and claimed her injuries were self-inflicted.

The prosecutor said the woman had suffered psychologically rather than physically as a result of the attack.

Butler, 35, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

He has three previous convictions but none for violence.

Andrew Pettison, mitigating, said : "The defendant wishes to apologise to the court and to the complaint in particular.

"He has expressed his shame and a desire to turn his life around."

The barrister said Butler had been in custody during the eight months since the attack.

He was jailed for two years and 11 months.

Judge Robin Mairs said: "This was a cowardly, callous and utterly needless attack on the complainant.

"There was gratuitous degradation and threats which caused utter terror on her part."