Witness likens stabbing aftermath to ‘scene from horror movie’ in trial

During a double attempted murder trial, a witness characterized the sight of the defendant and an injured child as “like a scene from a horror movie”. Malcolm Greenley provided testimony at Carlisle Crown Court in the ongoing trial of Jacqueline Mounsey, who faces charges of attempting to murder her husband and a child. Law enforcement officers responded to an incident on Whernside in the Morton district of Carlisle on 10 June, discovering three individuals suffering from knife wounds, all of whom required medical attention at a hospital. Ms. Mounsey, aged 53, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of attempted murder, in addition to two lesser charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm. Mr. Greenley, who is a neighbor, informed the jury that he had a brief glimpse of Mark Bennett in his back garden on the morning in question, noting blood on his chest. He stated that he exited the property via the back gate, with Ms. Mounsey following him. Responding to inquiries from Iain Simkin KC, representing the prosecution, Mr. Greenley testified that he subsequently observed Ms. Mounsey and the child. He recounted that Ms. Mounsey had her right hand positioned on the right side of her neck, and both she and the child were covered in blood. He declared, “I have never seen so much blood in my life,” further stating, “It was like a scene from a horror movie.” A statement presented to the court from Annie Garner, another neighbor, indicated that Mr. Bennett had knocked on her door early that morning, appearing to be bleeding. She reported that he had conveyed to her, in reference to Ms. Mounsey, that “she’s lost it, she’s stabbed me.” The prosecution’s argument posits that Ms. Mounsey initially stabbed her husband, proceeded to attack the child, and subsequently directed the knife towards herself. During the opening of the trial earlier this week, Mr. Simkin asserted that Ms. Mounsey employed “persistent, deadly violence which we say demonstrates her clear intention to kill.” The legal proceedings are ongoing.