Boyfriend jailed for stab attack

A man who stabbed his 15-year-old girlfriend 23 times with a nine-inch filleting knife has been jailed for 12 years.

Sebastian Simmons, 23, of Highgate, Cleethorpes, was sentenced at Hull Crown Court on Tuesday after being found guilty of attempted murder.

The court heard how Simmons attacked Crystal Blewett on 5 January after she told him she did not love him.

Miss Blewett needed 80 stitches and five hours of microscopic surgery to repair damaged veins and arteries.

No remorse

Simmons did not dispute causing the injuries, but denied the charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent.

In a statement to police, he said he blacked out during the attack and did not intend to harm his girlfriend.

On passing sentence, Mr Justice Treacy said Simmons had shown no remorse for the attack on Crystal.

Simmons had not acted on the spur of the moment, but had intended to kill the teenager, said the judge.

The court also heard Simmons had been convicted in 2001 for setting fire to a previous girlfriend's flat.

Miss Blewett's mother Marion, 42, said: "We were pleased with the verdict, but the sentence is not enough.

"He should have been given life or 15 years. He nearly killed Crystal."