A man accused of attempted murder ‘slashed his girlfriend’s throat and wrists’, a court heard.
Sezwin Crasto appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (23 March), speaking only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
The 21-year-old was charged with attempting to murder his girlfriend Cheryl Barreto on Monday 21 March, by inflicting “significant” knife wounds across her body.
Prosecutor Keith Ballinger alleged the defendant grabbed his victim in the Manchester Road area of Swindon before forcibly taking her to his home in Broad Street.
He claims Crasto then slashed her throat, neck and wrists before calling 999 to report the attack. It’s alleged the violent assault followed the victim’s attempt to end their relationship.
Miss Barreto’s injuries saw her fighting for her life in intensive care, where she – due to the wound to her throat – required a tracheostomy in order to breathe.
The victim, believed to be in her early 20s, is currently stable in hospital, but has sustained “significant and life-changing injuries”, Mr Ballinger confirmed.
He told of how she is not able to talk, and she had to communicate with detectives by text message.
The case was sent to Bristol Crown Court and Crasto was remanded in custody.
In a statement, Wiltshire Police said: “We’d like to reassure the local community that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to the public.
“Anyone with information on this or witnesses to an incident on Manchester Road moments before, which we understand was witnessed by several members of the public and is related, are asked to call us on 101 and quote crime reference 54220029066.”
