A ‘DANGEROUS’ man who tried to murder his partner and her mum hours after celebrating his birthday is now behind bars.

Simon Cragg, 31, was sentenced to 16 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court after repeatedly stabbing his partner Natalie Platt and her mum Janet at his home on Alder Road in Woolston.

Warrington Guardian:

Jailed: Simon Cragg

At an earlier hearing the court heard how Cragg and his girlfriend had gone out to celebrate his birthday with her parents on May 7.

Prosecuting, Anya Horwood said: “The family are very close and his father-in-law describes him as like a son.

“They had been enjoying themselves having a meal. The family went back to the home that they shared.”

Ms Platt went to bed while Cragg and his father-in-law remained downstairs and continued to drink.

“At a later point in the evening the daughter heard the mother screaming and went downstairs to see her being stabbed by Cragg,” said Ms Horwood.

“She was stabbed four times in the chest, two times in the back and had injuries to her legs and right arm.

“Cragg turned on the daughter and stabbed her a number of times. She was able to flee from the property.  Cragg then locked himself in the garage. 

“When police arrived they heard a chainsaw and found that he had made some attempts to injure himself and was covered in blood.”

Warrington Guardian:
Picture: Police at the scene in Woolston

The mum was taken to hospital where she needed surgery on her heart and has had several other operations while her daughter had to undergo surgery on her colon.

Both women are now out of hospital, police have confirmed. 

The court heard how Cragg had been interviewed three times and said he had no recollection of what happened.

Judge Clement Goldstone QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, sentenced Cragg to 16 years in prison at during a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday.

Speaking after the sentencing, DC Emily Teare, from Warrington CID, said: “Cragg’s actions on that day have left a family completely devastated.  

“The two victims sustained nasty injuries which required extensive hospital treatment, and they will have to live with what happened to them for the rest of their lives.

“The substantial prison sentence handed to Cragg reflects the serious nature of the crime, however it will never take away the devastation he has caused to all those involved.  

“While the motive behind Cragg’s atrocious actions may never be known, it is clear his intentions were to cause serious harm. 

“I want to take the time to thank the victims for their support throughout this case – helping to secure a conviction against a dangerous man.”