Lincoln man jailed after stabbing wife at Sincil Bank home

A Lincoln man has been jailed for eight years after admitting wounding with intent following a stabbing at a home in the Sincil Bank area of the city. Lincoln Crown Court heard that Shibu Mathews, 52, was sentenced over the attack, which took place on 27 August last year. He had originally been charged with attempted murder, but a jury found him not guilty of that offence after a three day trial. The case centred on an incident at the home Mathews shared with his wife, who was described in court as his partner of 22 years. She was seriously injured and taken to hospital for urgent treatment. During the trial, prosecutor Victoria Rose told jurors that the woman suffered multiple sharp force injuries during the incident. Medical evidence presented to the court said she needed blood transfusions and a chest drain as part of her treatment. The court heard that emergency services were sent to the address after calls from both Mathews and a neighbour. In a call to police, Mathews said his wife had attacked him and that he had attacked her in response. When officers arrived at the property, they found a kitchen knife with a broken handle underneath a table. The injured woman was then taken to hospital, where she received emergency care. Jurors were told she had suffered at least five sharp force injuries to her chest and collarbone area. Those details were heard in open court during the trial. Although Mathews denied attempted murder, the jury cleared him of that charge. He was, however, sentenced after admitting the separate offence of wounding with intent. That offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and is used in cases where serious injury is caused deliberately. In this case, the judge imposed a custodial term of eight years. The hearing at Lincoln Crown Court brought to an end the criminal proceedings relating to the offence to which Mathews pleaded guilty. No further detail was given in court about any additional proceedings linked to the case. Criminal trials heard in open court often include evidence from prosecutors, defence barristers, police officers, medical professionals and other witnesses. Jurors then decide whether a defendant is guilty of the charges they deny, while judges pass sentence for offences proved either by verdict or guilty plea. In Mathews' case, the jury did not convict him of attempted murder. The sentence handed down by the court related only to the admitted offence of wounding with intent. The incident took place at a residential address in Lincoln, and the case was dealt with at Lincoln Crown Court, which hears serious criminal matters from across the county. Mathews will now serve the prison sentence imposed by the court.