Published: Tuesday, 23rd June, 2009 10:00am

Jilted groom knifed ex-fiancée in chest

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Terrified victim suffered two punctured lungs

A JILTED groom-to-be almost stabbed his intended bride to death after their marriage plans collapsed.

Yasir Afsar believed her parents would never approve of him because he was of a lower caste - the Indian class and religious system.

Afsar, 32, and the 29-year-old victim, first met through an internet website for those seeking arranged marriages.

At the time of the offence Afsar - who has a record for dishonesty - was just out of prison and trying to make a new life for himself, the High Court in Edinburgh heard on Wednesday.

Afsar, from the Midlands, turned up on the victim"s doorstep in Balloch, about 6.30am on March 13 this year.

Advocate depute Keith Stewart, prosecuting, said Afsar introduced himself to her parents as a business colleague of their daughter.

When they said she was not at home he pointed to her car and said 'I"m going to see her', before pushing his way into the house. The terrified victim locked herself in the bathroom, but Afsar tried to force it open with a kitchen knife and threatened to kill her parents, the court heard.

After a struggle, the victim"s father went downstairs to telephone police while her mother persuaded Afsar to come downstairs to talk.

The victim then left the bathroom and tried to reach her bedroom to telephone the police, but Afsar heard her, followed her into the room and pinned her down on her bed.

Mr Stewart added: 'He began to strike her repeatedly on the chest with the knife, he then placed his hands round her neck.'

The victim"s desperate mother then bit Afsar on the arm and, fearing that her daughter was dead, ran outside to shout for help from neighbours.

Afsar then fled in a car - leaving his DNA on the handle of the broken and blood-stained knife. He was arrested three days later in Dover.

The victim was taken to Paisley"s Royal Alexandra Hospital where doctors discovered that the two stab wounds to her chest had caused both lungs to collapse.

Medics concluded that both wounds were serious and potentially life-threatening.

In court, Afsar admitted attempted murder, and apologised for the brutal attack.

Defence advocate, Shahid Latif, said: 'The relationship developed to such an extent that a love marriage as opposed to an arranged marriage was in contemplation.'

Mr Latif added: 'One problem be-devilled the relationship - although he was of the same religion, he was of a different caste.

'The relationship ended abruptly and [he] found it difficult to accept that the relationship had run its course.'

Sentencing Afsar, judge Lord Brodie told him: 'You have pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a young woman who - according to Mr Latif - at one stage you loved.'

Jailing Afsar for seven-and-a-half years he added: 'This was not a momentary action.'