Jilted man jailed after dressing in rabbit costume then stabbing ex-boyfriend's new lover

By Mirror

Mark Pritchard, 46, was carrying roses and love letters and pretended to be a "romantic gift" before attacking Martin Williams.

A man has been jailed for almost nine years after dressing up as a giant rabbit and stabbing his rival in a love triangle.

Jilted Mark Pritchard, 46, arrived at the home of his former boyfriend Lee Corbin wearing a theatrical rabbit's head and carrying roses and love letters.

He conned his way into the flat by pretending to be a "romantic gift" for Lee's new lover Martin Williams, a court heard.

Care worker Pritchard even persuaded Mr Williams to put on a blindfold and wait bed for "some treasure".

He then sneaked up on his love rival and tried to knock him out with a handkerchief covered in chloroform.

Pritchard's rabbit head was knocked off during a struggle between the two men and he began to stab his love rival in what the judge described as a "jealous rage".

Prosecutor Giles Nelson said: "The defendant arrived at the house wearing all black and a large rabbit head and was carrying roses and other gifts.

"His attempts at persuading Mr Williams he was a romantic gift send by his partner were very convincing and he followed the instructions given in the letters by Mr Pritchard.

"Following a struggle Mr Williams suffered two stab wounds to the hip and one to the neck.

"Mr Pritchard then carried him downstairs into the living room where Mr Williams begged him for help, telling him he would die otherwise."

The drama unfolded at 6pm on October 3 last year after Pritchard rang the intercom claiming to have a special delivery, Bristol crown court heard on Wednesday.

During the terrifying ordeal Martin even sent a text to boyfriend Lee ending their relationship in a bid to placate his attacker.

Prosecutor Mr Nelson added: ''Pritchard fled the scene after giving Mr Williams towels to hold against his wounds.

"Mr Pritchard was found my police the same day and a number of receipts were found in his car, for items including roses and costume hire."

Martin, from Bristol, suffered two stab wounds to the hip, one to the neck and multiple defensive injuries.

Jailing Pritchard for eight years and eight months, the judge Lord Justice Ford told him :"This was done in jealous rage but it wasn't spontaneous - it had been planned.

"I take into account that you are a man of 46 years old with no prior convictions but this is a case that shows signs of premeditation.

"It seems to me that the aggravating features of this case significantly outweigh the mitigating ones.

"If you would have decided to plead not guilty to this offence I would be sentencing you to 13 years but I will reduce this by a third for your early guilty plea.

"You will serve eight years and eight months and I will also be issuing a restraining order for Mr Corbin and Mr Williams."

Pritchard, from Warminster, Wilts, admitted a charge of wounding with intent to cause serious bodily harm.