A woman has been jailed for a vicious unprovoked assault where she repeatedly stabbed another woman in the head with a steak knife in Piccadilly Gardens.
After Jessica Taylor was sentenced today (Tuesday), her victim spoke out about the emotional as well as the physical scars left behind, saying: "Now I barely go anywhere other than to visit family."
Taylor, 19, stabbed her female victim three times in the head with a steak knife she pulled out of her handbag in Piccadilly Gardens in July last year following what police described as a 'minor verbal exchange'.
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Today Taylor, of Haddington Drive, Blackley, was handed a prison sentence of three years five months at Minshull Street Crown Court after she had earlier pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article, according to Greater Manchester Police.
Her victim suffered two puncture wounds to the right side of her head and one to the left side of her forehead, all of which required stitches. She also sustained substantial bruising around her left eye.
Taylor was tracked down through social media enquiries, said GMP.
After the hearing, the victim of the attack described how she had been left with 'physical and emotional scars'.
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She said: "Before this happened, I used to go out several times a week to socialise with friends. Now I barely go anywhere other than to visit family.
"I wish this incident has never happened, but I know I can’t change it. Aside from the physical scars there has been quite a significant emotional change in me.
"I have become quite short-tempered and irritable and often just isolate myself from people. On occasion this has caused outbursts with my family where I have felt completely out of control.
"This behaviour is completely out of character and really hard for me to come to terms with."
Detective Constable Annabel Lewis said: "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack in a busy location that resulted in the victim sustaining serious head and facial injuries.
"The victim was stabbed with a steak knife that Taylor pulled out of her handbag. After being arrested she made no comment in interviews and was later positively identified via a video identification parade.
"Hopefully this sentence will demonstrate that it is not acceptable to carry a knife on the streets of Greater Manchester and anyone found doing so will be arrested and dealt with accordingly."
Anyone with information about someone carrying a knife is urged by GMP to report it by calling 101, or 999 if it is an emergency. People can also make anonymous reports to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Also those aged 11 to 17 can make also anonymous reports via Fearless.org.