By Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 12:17, Tuesday, 22 April 2008

CONVICTED killer Brian Monaghan, who stabbed his fiancée to death in Cumbria, had a history of violence and was previously arrested for attempted murder.

Bryan Monaghan: ’A danger to women’

The News & Star can reveal Monaghan, 54, serving life for murdering Appleby mum Nicola Bisset, was held on suspicion of trying to kill another woman more than 20 years ago.

It is understood he was arrested after attacking a friend of a woman he was in a relationship with at the time.

The incident reinforces the comments of the judge who sentenced Monaghan two weeks ago at Carlisle Crown Court.

He labelled him an aggressor and a danger to women.

Monaghan was never charged with attempted murder, but later appeared in court and was convicted of assault.

The attack on the woman was carried out in Scotland.

Monaghan stabbed Ms Bisset to death in her own bed at home in Appleby after she raised doubts about their short-lived relationship.

The judge in the trial, Mr Justice Irwin, said Monaghan had decided if he could not have the 52-year-old care worker, no-one else could.

Monaghan, of Largs in Scotland, who denied murder during a trial at Carlisle Crown Court, was told he would spend at least 13 years behind bars.

The former building trade worker, who has a history of mental illness and is registered blind – he has sight in only one eye and no peripheral vision – had admitted inflicting the fatal blow in October last year.

But he claimed he did not aim for Ms Bisset, who he met on a train only three months before he murdered her.

He told a psychiatrist he thought he would stab pillows or himself as he lashed out.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Irwin told Monaghan: “You are not the victim, you were the aggressor. It seems to me you are a danger to any woman with whom you become involved.”

First published at 11:39, Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk