'Marry me even though you stabbed me': Victim planned court proposal to woman facing prison

A MAN who was almost killed when his girlfriend stabbed him in the back wants to marry her.

Gregory Todd bought a white gold and diamond engagement ring before Tiffany Baillie was due to be sentenced at Hull Crown Court yesterday for stabbing him.

He believed she would be given a suspended prison sentence and was planning to ask her to marry him when she was released from custody.

Instead, she has been warned she is facing 12 years in jail when she is sentenced next week.

Mr Todd spent three months in hospital after Baillie, 32, plunged a 12-inch kitchen knife into his back with "substantial force" as he slept at their flat in Trinity Court, Hessle.

He needed emergency surgery to repair damage to his left kidney, pancreas and colon. Doctors said without it he would have died.

Mr Todd, 48, told the Mail: "I was hoping she would be released. I was planning to take her to one side in the court and ask her to marry me.

"I have told the police from day one I love her and don't want to lose her. It has been a nightmare."

The Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, Judge Michael Mettyear, said he has a "difficult decision" to make about how long to jail Baillie for when he sentences her next week.

The court heard she stabbed Mr Todd, a chef at The Weir Bar in Hessle, after the couple argued on a night out on December 4 last year.

Both had been drinking.

Mr Todd said it happened close to the anniversary of the death of her ten-week-old son, Lucas, and just weeks after she suffered a miscarriage.

Mr Todd said: "This just isn't like her. She doesn't need to be locked up, she needs help. There were a lot of signs, which maybe I should have picked up on, but I didn't.

"If somebody I didn't know stabbed me in the street, I would want them hung, drawn and quartered.

"But I don't hold this against her at all. Seeing her in prison is my worst nightmare."

Baillie wept when her barrister, Paul Genney, revealed Mr Todd's plans to propose during her court appearance yesterday. Mr Todd, who has made a full recovery, said he visited her in prison after he was released from Castle Hill Hospital.

"She said she was sorry and asked me to forgive her, which I do, completely," he said.

"I lived with this woman. Before this happened, I was looking forward to eating Christmas dinner together as a family.

"I was planning to propose to her on her birthday, on December 29. Then I was in hospital for Christmas, her birthday and New Year."

The couple met when they were both working together as chefs at the Lairgate Hotel in Beverley.

Baillie and her 12-year-old son later moved into Mr Todd's flat.

He said: "She is perfect for me. We have a lot in common and get on really well. I want her to come out so we can get married and get our lives back."

Baillie admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Jharna Jobes, prosecuting, said the sentencing range for similar cases is nine to 16 years, with a typical starting point of 12 years.

Mr Genney said: "What is very unusual is the complainant asking for leniency. Most victims would want you to lock them up and throw away the key.

"He says he wants to marry her and has brought an engagement ring to court."

Judge Mettyear said: "This is a very difficult case. The guidelines suggest I should impose a very long sentence, but I have to consider how much weight I can give to the views of your victim."