A man who stabbed his wife at least six times using a blunt kitchen knife as he suffered a mental breakdown has avoided a prison sentence.
Motorsport photographer Paul Korkus, 61, attacked Sara Korkus as she slept in the early hours of 7 May this year – just days after he attempted to take his own life.
Emergency services rushed to the married couple’s home in Newleaze Park in Broughton Gifford, near Melksham, at around 5.15am and the victim was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
At Swindon Crown Court today (Wednesday), prosecutor Mark Ashley said that Mrs Korkus woke to find her husband stabbing her, saying words to the effect of: “You need to call 999, I’m stabbing you”.
The defendant had used an old and blunt kitchen knife to inflict at least six stab wounds to her body, including including four to her abdomen – requiring 31 stitches in total.
Mr Ashley said the case was “highly unusual” and told of how Korkus was “very upset” by what he had done, calling 999 himself before handing the telephone to his injured wife.
He said his actions at the time “highlighted the mental health aspect in this case”.
The court heard that Korkus suffered a family trauma 17 years ago and was admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt – but he seemingly recovered over the following years.
On 3 May, “things were night quite right”, Mr Ashley added. He said that the defendant pulled over his car because he believed he was being followed by someone who wanted to kill him.
He was prescribed diazepam to control his paranoia – but two days later he used the medication to overdose, and he was subsequently admitted to the Royal United Hospital – where he was released the following day.
But Mrs Korkus was “not concerned for herself, she never once thought her husband would harm her… she was more concerned that he would harm himself”, Mr Ashley said.
A doctor diagnosed a depressive disorder and depressive psychosis, which confirmed that his “capacity to intend to cause injury was undermined by his mental health difficulties”.
Mrs Korkus said that her husband had never been violent towards her previously, and they’d never had a fight. It was confirmed that she wanted him to return home from prison to live with her.
Richard Williams, defending, said he could not disagree with the prosecution case – and added that his client has made admissions and been remorseful from the start and throughout.
Korkus previously pleaded guilty to a charge of Section 20 grievous bodily harm without intent.
Judge Jason Taylor KC gave Korkus to a two-year community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days. He said that his six-month stint in custody on remand was the equivalent of a one-year prison term.
He said: “It is clear to me that that the time, you where having mental health difficulties, put colloquially, you were having a breakdown.
“You and your wife both wanted help… crucially you wife was not concerned for herself or her safety, she was only concerned for you.”
Judge Taylor said it was “self-evident that this is a highly unusual case and that will be obvious to anyone listening”.
Korkus will be released from prison within 24 hours and return home to his wife.
