Gosport man jailed for stabbing wife

A man who stabbed his wife on Boxing Day in Gosport has been jailed.

Police were called on the evening of 26 December 2022 by a resident in Little Green, reporting that their neighbour had turned up at their address in a frantic state after she had been stabbed in the arm and chest area by her husband, Raymond Mclaren.

Officers attended and provided emergency first aid to the victim, before 63-year-old Mclaren was arrested at his home address nearby.

Mclaren provided a statement to police initially claiming that the injuries were caused accidentally, but later admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent when he appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on 23 May this year.

Appearing at the same court on Friday 7 July, Mclaren, of Little Green in Gosport, was sentenced to seven years in prison.
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DC Katie Reynolds said: “Domestic abuse is one of the worst types of offending we encounter as police officers, and the level of violence inflicted by Mclaren on his own wife was truly shocking.

“No one should ever be made to suffer in this way, not least in their own home.

“The victim in this case has shown incredible strength in supporting the police investigation. We know that domestic violence can be incredibly difficult for people to report or come to terms with.

“I hope that the outcome of this case encourages other people out there who are suffering domestic violence to make that brave step to report this to someone. Tackling perpetrators of domestic abuse is an absolute priority for us, and we will do everything in our power to bring abusers to justice and protect vulnerable people.”

We want victims of domestic abuse to find the courage to tell police about this often un-reported type of offending. However, we appreciate not everyone wants to speak to the police in the first instance.

For more information about how you can seek independent help from a dedicated domestic abuse support service, and the ways in which you can report domestic abuse, visit: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/

In the event of an emergency or if someone is in danger, dial 999.