Man accused of attempted murder: ‘I thought the world of her’

Paul Owen Henry, 46, said he accepted that mother-of-three Claire Boswell was injured by a knife which was in his hand at the time.

But giving evidence at Lincoln Crown Court, Henry insisted he did not mean to stab Miss Boswell, 44, in the chest on purpose.

It is alleged Henry left Miss Boswell with a life threatening injury to her liver when he stabbed her just hours after being spared jail for harassing her.

Henry admitted going to Miss Boswell’s home in Glentham Road, Gainsborough, on the same day he received a suspended sentence for breaking a restraining order which prevented him from contacting her.

Giving evidence from the witness box, Henry said he went to collect his phone from Lincoln West Parade police station after leaving Lincoln Magistrates Court, and then rang Miss Boswell from a call box outside the station.

Henry told the jury he did not say anything when Miss Boswell answered, and then took a train to Gainsborough where he visited his father and sent a text to Miss Boswell.

When asked what he put in the text, Henry replied: “I think it was saying ‘I’m out’.”

Henry admitted he then walked to Miss Boswell’s home when it is alleged Henry broke into the house and then walked up the stairs threatening to kill Miss Boswell with a knife he took from her kitchen.

When asked by defence barrister Michael Cranmer-Brown if he accepted Miss Boswell was injured by a knife in his hand at the time Henry answered: “Yes sir.”

But when questioned if he stabbed Miss Boswell in the chest on purpose Henry added: “No sir.”

When Henry was asked by Mr Cranmer-Brown if intended to kill Miss Boswell he replied: “Definitely not.”

He added: “I thought the world of Claire, I still think the world of Claire.”

Henry told the jury he would often see Miss Boswell on a daily basis despite the restraining order.

“She has always been my partner,” Henry told them.

The jury heard Miss Boswell has made around 40 calls to the police complaining about Henry since 2005.

When asked to explain the calls Henry said: “She would phone the police one day and then the next day she would ring up and say come round.”

Henry insisted: “I have never been violent towards her.”

Henry, formerly of Lea Place, Gainsborough, denies attempting to murder Claire Boswell on 15th September 2011.

He also denies an alternative charge of wounding with intent to cause Miss Boswell, 44, grievous bodily harm.

The trial continues.