A drug-crazed thug who stabbed his fiancée with a knife at their home in Murston has been jailed for more than six years.

Police officers had twice been called to the address before the attack on the woman, but each time Billy Brazil managed to evade them.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 24-year-old had been drinking heavily and taking drugs on October 18, last year.

“You were by then a deeply entrenched addict,” said Judge Jeremy Carey.

After avoiding the police earlier, Brazil returned to his home in Harold Road, in the early hours, armed himself with a knife and confronted his fiancee.

“It must have been a frightening sight for her,” the judge told Brazil. “She must have known what was coming.

“There was a struggle during which you tried to slash her. Her injuries might have been worse if it hadn’t been for the fierce resistance she showed.”

The victim, who now lives in Faversham, suffered cuts to her neck, leg and arm. She was taken to hospital where her wounds were stitched and glued.

“They won’t leave her with any lasting physical side effects but who is to say what the long-term traumatic effect will be on her,” said Judge Carey.

“I have read her impact statement, which is in moderate terms. It could have been expressed much more emotionally than it is.

“She is putting it in a fair and balanced way when she says she is frightened of contact with you.

“You have expressed you wish to have nothing more to do with her.

“It is to be hoped that is her view of you too.

“You are a toxic mix and it is likely to lead to further disharmony and probable violence.”

The judge said the history of the relationship was “an all too familiar one” for the courts involving arguments and violence.

Concerned neighbours had called the police on previous occasions and warnings were given to Brazil.

He admitted wounding with intent after previously claiming his fiancee had inflicted the injuries on herself.

Brazil was jailed for six years and three months and a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim was imposed for three years.

Tom Stern, defending, said Brazil came from “a transient world without any particular structure”.

“He has some emotional issues,” he added.

“It may have its origins in the lifestyle he grew up in. He didn’t grow up with a father.
“Cocaine and other drugs became a way of life.”

Judge Carey told Brazil: “There are two elementary aspects of every person’s life which ought to be within their control.

“One is self-control and the other is the ability to tell the truth. You have shown in the past you have had neither of these things.

“You have been grossly violent to a defenceless young woman and been in denial about it.

“There is nothing wrong with being a member of the travelling community, nothing wrong with living on a travellers’ site. That background is not in any way held against you.”

It was accepted, he said, that Brazil had ADHD which had not been properly addressed.

There was also a possibility he had begun to realise there had to be a major redressing of his personality, as well his chronic drug addiction.