Soldier in court for fatal attack on ex-partner (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Soldier in court for fatal attack on ex-partner

8:00am Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Stuart Minting

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy cried “Daddy’s killed Mummy” after his North Yorkshire-based soldier father launched a fatal knife attack on his mother, a court has heard.

Ian Lowe, 25, whose 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster Regiment comrades are preparing for an operational tour in Afghanistan in the autumn, repeatedly stabbed Leanne McNuff, 24, as she tried to fight him off on March 11.

Manchester Crown Court heard one stab wound went completely through her neck and another through her arm and that Lowe stamped on her face.

Lowe, who was on leave from Somme Barracks, in Catterick Garrison, had been on bail for allegedly assaulting Miss McNuff at the time of the killing.

Neil Flewitt, prosecuting, said Lowe kicked in the door of the house he had shared with Miss McNuff in Droylesden, Greater Manchester, and attacked his former partner with a knife in an incident that lasted a minute and a half.

The jury heard the couple’s son, Jaden, was in the house at the time of the incident.

When Miss McNuff’s brother, Ryan, ran to help his dying sister, the youngster told him: “Daddy’s killed Mummy.”

Mr Flewitt said: “Although Leanne McNuff was taken immediately to hospital, she was seriously injured and died later that night.”

Lowe fled the scene but was arrested later that night.

The court was told Miss Mc- Nuff and Lowe, who admits manslaughter, but denies murder, had a stormy on-off relationship and she had ordered the soldier to leave her home a month before.

In a defence statement, Lowe claims on the day of the attack he learnt Miss McNuff had been unfaithful to him while they were still in a relationship.

Lowe claimed Miss McNuff intended to leave the area and take Jaden with her and that she had aborted a child the defendant believed to be his. He also said Miss McNuff had sold a dog belonging to him.

He claims he killed Miss Mc- Nuff after losing his self control when she threatened him with a knife.

The trial, expected to last up to three weeks, continues.