Man admits stabbing estranged wife in front of daughter

A man has admitted attempting to murder his estranged wife in front of their child.

Osarenkhoe Atutie, 26, approached his family on Duke Street in Edinburgh last November and hugged his daughter, who was in a pram, before repeatedly stabbing her mother on the head and body.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard Atutie threatened his former partner, tackled her and stabbed her to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of her life.

Victory Atutie sustained 12 injuries, including scarring to her face and a collapsed lung, during the attack.

A judge told Atutie: "You will appreciate, I am sure, that this is a very serious offence with life long consequences in relation to the complainer."

Lord Cubie said he had read a victim impact statement in which the woman expressed her clear view that the offence was out of character.

Advocate depute Catriona MacLeod said Atutie and the victim met and were married in Nigeria about four years before the attack.

They moved to London where the child was born, but following a breakdown in the relationship the wife and daughter moved to Edinburgh.

On the day of the attack, the mother and daughter were going to a doctor's surgery when the child called out "Daddy, daddy."

Victory told her daughter he was not there and did not think anything of it.

The court heard she then saw Atutie and immediately panicked.

He walked over and gave the child a hug before telling Victory: "I brought a knife. I will show you."

She was told to follow him and not seek assistance.

The court heard that she was scared and believed he was going to hurt her when Atutie grabbed her hair and began to stab her on the head and body.

Three men who saw the attack then came to her aid and held Atutie.

Atutie was arrested and while being processed at a police station said: "I am sorry things have got like this."

The victim had a chest drain inserted and remained in hospital for four days after the attack.

Sentencing was deferred for the preparation of a background report and the judge ordered Atutie to be remanded in custody.

The first offender is due to be sentenced at the High Court in Stirling on 5 August.