Abuser who tried to kill his partner dies serving time

A CONTROLLING abuser, who stabbed his partner 29 times and left her for dead, has died while serving his prison sentence.

- By SOPHIE DOUGHTY

Martina Turner from Winlaton Mill, who was stabbed by her partner Steven Wood and left for dead

Steven Wood was jailed for a minimum of 12 years for attempting to murder Martina Turner at the home they shared in Winlaton Mill, Gateshead.

But now the 58-year-old, who was being held at HMP Frankland, has died. Wood was taken to hospital from the high security jail, in County Durham, and died on September 17.

An independent investigation into his death is now being carried out by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

Mum-of-three Martina, who is known to her friends as Tina, was lucky to survive after Wood turned on her in her kitchen two years after the couple met online.

After being knifed 29 times, the then 53-year-old victim managed to escape the ferocious attack by hiding in a cupboard where, by a twist of fate, she had put her phone so was able to call for help.