Cheryl Charnley, formerly of Barrow, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court for threatening her ex-boyfriend with a knife. The attack occurred during a heated argument at her home on 24 May last year.
Charnley pleaded guilty to threatening a person with a bladed article in a private place. She was jailed for two years and given a two-year restraining order.
Background of the Relationship
The couple had been together for about a year. Their relationship became turbulent after six or seven months due to daily arguments. These were mainly caused by Charnley’s crack cocaine use and accusations of cheating.
The Incident
On the evening of 24 May, the ex-partner visited Charnley’s house. They argued about their relationship while Charnley had consumed a bottle of wine and he remained sober. After midnight, he decided to leave, worrying about potential danger.
As he prepared to leave, Charnley pulled out an eight-inch kitchen knife and lunged at him multiple times, aiming for his chest and neck. She threatened his life and called him a cheat. The blade touched him on several occasions.
Escalation and Police Intervention
Charnley then turned the knife on herself, pointing it at her neck. She also sprayed bleach at her ex-partner, who hid behind a door and called for help. Despite this, she tried to stab him again through the door.
Neighbours alerted the police, who arrived at 12:40am and arrested Charnley. The victim sustained a scar on his right arm and reported ongoing mental health struggles, including PTSD.
Legal Proceedings and Sentence
Charnley was sentenced by His Honour Judge Graham Knowles. She had already served 10 months in custody and was released immediately due to time served. The judge described the attack as frightening and noted the severe consequences.
The judge warned that the attack could have been fatal and acknowledged Charnley’s intoxication and mental health issues played a role. A two-year restraining order was also imposed.
Mitigation and Personal History
Charnley’s defence highlighted her remorse and difficult past. She had been detained under the Mental Health Act in 2012 after personal tragedies. She has a history of custody and ongoing health problems.
Her barrister noted she had periods of stability with community support and hoped to rebuild her life with help from the council and family.
Previous Convictions
Charnley had prior convictions, including a four-and-a-half-year sentence for robbery and involvement in crack cocaine supply. These facts influenced the court’s decision to take a pragmatic approach in sentencing.
