Last updated at 11:30, Saturday, 02 March 2013

A man stabbed his gay partner with a poker after accusing him of talking to a girl on Facebook, a court heard.

George Ronald Harding, 21, of Moor Row, Longtown, stabbed Martin Harding in the shoulder and then on the back and then scratched a pair of scissors down his arms and naked body.

Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard that a coalman ringing the bell to Harding’s home prevented further injury.

Prosecutor Pam Ward told the court that the argument between the two men started on Thursday when George Harding had looked through Martin’s Facebook page.

Mrs Ward said: “There was a “lass” he had been chatting to and George thought his partner was in a relationship with her.” The court was told that was not the case.

Mrs Ward said: “George Harding then picked up a poker and stabbed Martin on the shoulder and then in the back with it. He then got a pair of scissors and started to scratch them down Martin’s arms and body. He was naked at the time.”

Mrs Ward said that while the assault was taking place the door bell rang – it was the coalman.

“Martin said he would open the door, he then ran to a neighbour’s house and police were called,” she said.

Martin said in a police statement that the arrival of the coalman maybe saved him from more serious injury.

George Harding, representing himself, said he had heard voices in his head for a while. He told the court he was “psychotic” and “on medication for depression”.

He said he lost it on Thursday when he stabbed him and ran scissors down his arms. He pleaded guilty to assault.

George Harding was remanded in custody for sentencing at Carlisle Crown Court on March 18.

First published at 11:12, Saturday, 02 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk