Did you hate me? Woman faces ex who stabbed her
AMUM stabbed nine times with four different knives by her ex has faced him in court asking: “Did you hate me so much that day that you wanted to kill me?”
The victim, named only as Jodie, spoke to Liam Davis, 26, as he was sentenced to 17 years in jail – and read a note from their daughter.
He slapped his ex following an argument before stabbing her with kitchen blades at their home in Bristol in April this year.
Davis, of Hartcliffe, was previously found guilty of attempted murder and was sentenced on Wednesday.
During the sentencing hearing, Jodie addressed her former partner in a statement read out at Bristol Crown Court, asking why he’d never provided an explanation for the brutal attack.
She said: “I attended the trial to try and understand why you did what you did that day. The trial didn’t answer that question so I suppose I will never know. Did you hate me so much that day that you wanted to kill me?
“You could have just punched or slapped me, but you got four knives to hurt me. Did you hate me so much?”
Jodie also shared the impact of the incident on their young daughter, who witnessed the attack. She continued: “Who knows how long it will take her to overcome what she witnessed?
“I have noticed things about her since that day. She doesn’t like blue cars, she is hesitant in trusting men.
“I have had to try and explain to her about prisons and that her dad is there as he has been bad.
“All she wants is a normal dad and mum like we used to be.”
Jodie also included a heartbreaking note written by their daughter in her statement to the court.
It read: “It made me really upset and I cried to tears. I was trying to help but
I just didn’t know what to do. When Daddy came out he called me and dragged me out the house into the car and drove off and left Mummy looking for me.
“Why did you make us leave Mummy to die like that?
“I’m happy now but I still worry because it’s very scary because he nearly killed Mummy and I thought you loved each other and loved me. I miss my dad.”
On the night of the attack, neighbours heard the incident and shortly afterwards found Jodie collapsed outside on the pavement.
They provided first aid until the emergency services arrived.
Following the attack, Davis drove to a relative’s address where he told them he thought he had killed her.
He then turned up at Broadbury Road Police Station in south Bristol where he was arrested.
Ending her statement, Jodie added: “During the trial you [Davis] had an opportunity to look at me and say sorry for what happened, you never did. That would have been a good time to say it, as it would have meant something, any other time after that just doesn’t have the same value.”
Investigating officer David Nicholls said: “Jodie remarkably found the courage to read her statement out in court today and the strength and bravery it took to do this should not be underestimated.
“I have huge admiration for the resilience she has shown and while it was undoubtedly difficult for her, I hope she found it cathartic. Her daughter’s words were particularly heartbreaking to hear and serve as a reminder it’s not just the individuals who suffer physically who are the victims in domestic abuse incidents like this.”
More information about organisations and services for domestic abuse victims can be found at: