A 42-year-old man from Swindon has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to attempted murder.
Bikash Gurung, of Boynton Close, will also serve five years on licence after he is released, following his appearance in court today.
Gurung launched a terrifying attack on his wife on 29 December 2016.
His victim sustained multiple life changing injuries to her hands, face, head and neck as a result of the horrifying ordeal.
Detective Sergeant Troy Smith, of Wiltshire Police, said: “The victim had called police to ask for advice regarding ongoing domestic abuse. She was still on the line to a police operator when Gurung launched his terrifying attack with a sharpened kukri – a traditional Nepalese machete. As he slashed at her, the victim put her hands up in an attempt to cover her face and neck. As a result, one of her fingers was severed and she suffered significant lacerations to both hands. Despite inflicting these terrible injuries, Gurung continued his attack on the defenceless victim. He used so much force that he broke her neck and her jaw in the process and caused her to lose a life threatening amount of blood. So severe were her injuries that when officers and paramedics arrived at the scene, they thought she had lost her life.
“The phone line to police remained open throughout Gurung’s attack and as part of the investigation, the recording of the call was obtained. It is utterly shocking to listen to. We know that after the attack, Gurung called police and calmly waited at the house for officers to arrive while his wife lay bleeding on the kitchen floor. I am sorry to say that there were two children present in the house at the time and they witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
“The victim was rushed to hospital and was initially not expected to survive. She spent two months in hospital, undergoing surgery and physical therapy and is now recovering at home. However, she still has significant scarring and will have limited use of her hands for the rest of her life – a permanent reminder of this man’s devastating actions.
“I hope that the lengthy custodial sentence handed out to Gurung can bring some closure to the victim and that she is able to rebuild her life.
“No one should ever have to suffer the abuse and terrifying ordeal that this lady was put through – nobody has the right to make you feel threatened or frightened. I would appeal to anyone who may be experiencing abuse at the hands of their partner to ask for help as soon as possible. As well as police, there are many other local and national support networks, such as Women’s Aid, available to both male and female victims of abuse.”
To report an incident call 101, or 999 if someone is at risk of being harmed.
