Incredible moment cops rescue teacher who had been stabbed 29 times and left to die by controlling ex-boyfriend
THIS is the incredible moment police rescue a teacher who had been stabbed 29 times and left to die by her controlling former boyfriend.
Martina Turner, 54, has been left permanently scarred after she suffered extensive injuries in the horrific attack, including stab wounds, a bleed on her heart, two broken ribs and a burn on her leg.
The college teacher, known as Tina, was attacked so violently in her home in Winlaton Mill, Gateshead, on May 21, 2020, the blade snapped.
Despite the severity of the assault she managed to survive.
Steven Wood, 55, her then boyfriend, had locked her up in her home, before fleeing to Redbeugh Bridge and throwing himself into the River Tyne after the attack.
The shocking footage, released by the cops, show the moment Northumbria Police officers forced entry to the home by smashing a window and found Martina hiding in a cupboard covered in a pool of her own blood.
Wood, who is bipolar, flew into a rage after Martina had told him she would be going out later that day.
Thinking she didn’t want to spend time with him, Wood grabbed a knife from a kitchen drawer and ran at her from behind and started stabbing her repeatedly.
When the blade snapped, he picked another knife and continued to attack his partner of two years, even when she begged for her life and wanted him to call for help.
Wood then told her: “I have to finish you off, I’m not going to prison for you.”
Recounting events last year, she said: “I begged for my life. At that point I thought, I needed to be really smart.
“I think you just go into survival mode and tell yourself not to panic now because any movement could be your last.
“I suggested he phone his son, because his son is everything to him. He grabbed his phone and stabbed me with the Jamie Oliver knife in the chest.”
She then fell backwards, breaking two ribs, as she tried to escape.
He held onto her as he broke down over the phone to his son, telling him: “I’ve done something really bad.”
Tina tried whispering down the phone asking his son to call an ambulance.
Then Wood let go of the knife and left the house, locking both the back and front doors as he went.
She called 999 and paramedics took her to hospital after breaking a window to get in.
Police told Tina he had a criminal record but she was unaware he had history of domestic violence.
Wood had driven to Redheugh Bridge in Newcastle and jumped in the river but was rescued by a police boat.
The CCTV footage now released shows officers rescuing Martina after she managed to grab her phone and dial 999.
She was rushed to hospital with life-changing injuries and stab wounds over her body.
Wood was jailed for life at Newcastle Crown Court last year and must serve at least 12 years inside before he can apply for parole.
Speaking after the case Martina said: “Too many lives have been destroyed by domestic violence and every victim will have to live for the rest of their lives with their personal trauma including myself.
“However, justice was served.
“And despite being very emotional for me to explain how this totally unprovoked attack with life changing injuries to myself took place and have changed my life forever I’m glad I can move on with my recovery and to continue to fight for more justice for victims and raising more awareness and donations for charities like GNAAS and National Domestic Abuse.
“Can I please also take the opportunity to thank everyone.
“People have been above and beyond with kindness and support since the attack on myself.
“My whole village came together and supported my children and myself up to today.
“I also would like to thank Northumberland Police, the Domestic Abuse Team Gateshead, all staff at the RVI who cared for my rescue, medical needs and recovery, my 3 wonderful children and German family, my friends and colleagues at Newcastle College and not to forget my beautiful emotional support dog Tove.”
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.