Duncan Rowe and his wife Mandie when they used to run The Fox pub

by Keith Hunt

Former pub landlord Duncan Rowe has been cleared of trying to kill his wife after returning home from an evening of heavy drinking.

He was alleged to have grabbed a knife from the kitchen and attempted to stab Mandie Rowe in the head, but ended up plunging the blade into cupboards and work surfaces.

Mr Rowe and his family showed their relief when the jury acquitted him of attempted murder and making threats to kill.

Andrew Espley, prosecuting, said the Crown's case was that there was "a moment when his drunken intent is to kill her".

Mrs Rowe gave evidence, but did not support the prosecution and retracted her original statement. She was treated as a hostile witness by the prosecution.

The couple, of Hampshire Drive, Maidstone, had been married for 23 years with three children and had run The Fox pub (pictured left) in Hartnup Street.

Mr Espley said things had been going wrong in the marriage. Mr Rowe, 44, was unhappy that his wife had a new job and he suspected her of having affairs.

On May 13, they had an argument and Rowe went drinking at Tovil Working Men's Club. When he returned home he became aggressive.

Mr Espley said Mr Rowe grabbed his wife around the neck and then picked up a knife with an 8in blade and stabbed at her. The blade went into a cupboard.

He threw drinks cans and a cup at her and also tried to hit her with a heavy frying pan. The police were called and he was arrested.

Mr Rowe denied both charges, claiming he had no intention to kill his wife at any stage, despite telling her: "Mandie, I could kill you, I could really kill you."

Asked about a suggestion Mrs Rowe had to dodge out of the way because he was aiming the knife at her head, he said: "That is complete rubbish. It didn't happen.

"At no stage did I intend to murder her. I had never thought of wanting her dead. We are a very close family."

Jane Hayne, defending, asked: "How do you feel about the fact you picked up a knife and assaulted your cupboards?"

Rowe replied: "Excuse the language, I am a ******* idiot."