A 26-year-old man from Selby who stabbed his former partner has been jailed six-and-a-half years.

Man jailed after violently attacking his former partner. He will also spend three years on extended licence and was handed a lifelong restraining order.

Rafal Rekowski, of Selby stabbed his ex-partner three times with a kitchen knife.

The investigation involved North Yorkshire Police’s Digital Forensic Unit. It was discovered that Rekowski had installed software on the complainant’s computer to monitor her social media accounts after they had split up.

Back in May this year, the defendant went to the victims address armed with a knife where he threatened and strangled her. He made demands for the victim to go to Poland with him, otherwise he would kill her.

In fear, the victim agreed to go with him. Once outside the victim briefly managed to flee and ran to a group of people across the road and asked for help.

Rekowski then approached the group and managed to stab the victim three times, one to her back, her shoulder and arm.

Prior to this Rekowski had sent her a message saying he was going to have a cigarette and would be in prison the following day. He also made threats to “catch you this way or the other in a couple of years”.

CCTV enquiries revealed Rekowski had discarded the knife blade down a storm drain, a specialist search team later recovered the blade from the drain.

Following the conclusion of the court case, Detective Alex Dorlin from North Yorkshire Police commented:

“This stabbing could have easily been far more serious if it wasn't for intervention of people who were in the area at the time.

“I am glad Rekowski pleaded guilty, preventing the victim having to go through a trial, and although the sentence will never make up for the trauma she has been through, I hope it will help her begin to rebuild her life.

“North Yorkshire Police takes all forms of domestic abuse incredibly seriously. If you are affected by it, please have confidence in reporting it to us – we will listen and we will support you throughout our investigation.”

North Yorkshire Police, Court results