A woman who survived a brutal attack by her abusive ex-partner expressed relief after his death in prison. Martina Turner, also known as Tina, was stabbed 29 times by Steven Wood in May 2021 but managed to escape and call for help while hiding in a cupboard with a knife still lodged in her chest. Wood, who was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison, passed away in HMP Frankland.
Tina, aged 57, described Wood’s death as a significant relief, stating that domestic violence victims often fear their abusers returning. Following the attack, emergency services had to break through a window to reach Tina, who was hospitalized for six weeks and underwent multiple surgeries. Despite Wood being imprisoned, Tina still feels unsafe and continues to struggle with physical and psychological effects from the assault.
She expressed ongoing fear of Wood’s potential release and the impact it would have on her safety and that of other women. Wood had pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was serving a life sentence with a minimum of 12 years before his death in September. An investigation into his death is being conducted by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
Tina, who has lived in the UK for over 30 years, shared her ongoing trauma and anxiety about encountering Wood in the future. She emphasized the importance of keeping him incarcerated to prevent further harm to women. Wood’s passing brings a sense of relief to Tina, knowing that he can no longer pose a threat to others.
