The argument was sparked by claims Anthony had been seeing prostitutes
A man who threatened his partner with a zombie knife during a vicious attack that left her fearing for her life has been jailed – after being caught out by his ‘dog cam.’
Anthony Murgatroyd had set up a motion-sensor camera in the victim’s living room in Leeds, West Yorkshire, to find out which dog was chewing the furniture.
But when the 38-year-old launched a terrifying attack on the woman on 5 November the camera was triggered, capturing images that later led to his arrest and conviction.
Murgatroyd dragged the victim into the street and was seen hitting her, following an argument that he’d been seeing prostitutes.
The ‘dog cam’ captured the victim going back into her living room, followed by Murgatroyd who hit her over the head and pulled her about by her hair.
He then grabbed a zombie knife from the floor and lunged at her before pushing it towards her face and making stabbing and slashing actions to her body.
Murgatroyd then put the fearsome-looking knife behind the sofa, where a large dog could be seen cowering in distress, and shoved a screwdriver in the victim’s face.
He put the weapon away and hit the victim again, and then handed her a beer bottle and forced her to open it with her teeth.
Murgatroyd also asked the victim to touch the zombie knife. She eventually managed to escape from the address, and ran to get help from neighbours who alerted police.
Officers later arrested Murgatroyd in a violent struggle at his home, where incapacitant spray was used and a taser drawn.
When officers spoke to the victim, who has not been named, she was still in fear of the suspect and felt unable to support a prosecution.
But footage was recovered from the ‘dog cam’ which gave a detailed illustration of Murgatroyd’s actions.
Detectives were confident it could be used as evidence so Murgatroyd was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was also charged with possession in private of a zombie knife under the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
Murgatroyd pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on November 7 and was jailed earlier this week for 20 months, which included a previous domestic-related assault in August.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective superintendent Lee Berry said: “This was a prolonged and violent attack involving weapons, and the victim feared for her life during what was an absolutely terrifying ordeal.
“She was left so distressed and afraid of Murgatroyd that she felt unable to support a prosecution against him.
“But once officers secured and viewed the footage from the ‘dog cam’ they were able to use that as key evidence to progress to charges.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to tackle violence against women and girls and we take all reports of domestic abuse seriously and use all available means to bring offenders to justice.”
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