Northern Ireland

Woman to stand trial accused of stabbing partner five times to neck and body

Court heard a kitchen knife caused superficial injuries

Twelve police officers have been prosecuted for murder or manslaughter following deaths in custody or following police contact since 1990, according to the charity Inquest
Court heard a kitchen knife caused superficial injuries (Nick Ansell/PA)

A woman has been ordered to stand trial accused of stabbing her partner five times to the neck and body.

At Ballymena Magistrates Court, Carol Hamer (38) was charged with five offences arising from the incident in December 2023.

They include wounding, making a threat to kill, attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of common assault.

During an earlier hearing, a police officer gave evidence that although the victim was stabbed five times to his neck and upper body, the wounds were “superficial” and he was released from hospital shortly after the incident.

The officer told the court that while allegedly using a kitchen knife to stab her partner Hamer “told him that she would kill him,” adding that the defendant “hasn’t shown any remorse for causing the injuries”.

Join the Irish News Whatsapp channel

When police arrested Hamer, she was warned she was being recorded on body worn cameras but she said: “Aye I stabbed him.”

In court on Thursday, Hamer, from Staffa Drive in Ballymena, confirmed she was aware of the charges against her but she declined to exercise her rights to comment on the charges or to call evidence on her own behalf.

Returning the case to Antrim Crown Court and scheduling the arraignment to be heard on February 6, District Judge Nigel Broderick freed Hamer on her own bail.