Man accused of attempted murder at Whiteley office drank vodka every day, ex-partner tells court

Anwar Ashraf, 38 and previously from Southsea, has been charged with the attempted murder of Carla Skeites, who was stabbed 17 times at 3600 Parkway in Whiteley on April 30 last year.

Ashraf has pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife, but not guilty to attempted murder. His defence is that he intended to scare Ms Skeites, rather than kill her.

Winchester Crown Court has already heard that the pair’s relationship had ended weeks prior, but Ashraf had become “obsessed” with her and accused her of “cheating” on him.

This afternoon (Tuesday, March 24) the court heard from a former partner; the defendant is still married to Mrs Ashraf, but separated from her about three years ago.

Her statement, which was read out in court, highlighted multiple mental health incidents and the fact that Ashraf himself drinks every day.

She said: “His moods aren’t the best and he drinks daily, usually vodka mixed with coke.

“I knew he had a girlfriend named Carla but I don’t know much about her. I don’t like to hear him on the phone [to her] - it never sounds good, there is constant shouting.”

Despite separating from Mrs Ashraf, the defendant had moved back in with her prior to the attack while looking for somewhere else to live.

Mrs Ashraf added that on the morning of April 30 last year, she was making sandwiches for the children with a black kitchen knife. It was only when police came to her address later in the day, after the attack, that she realised it was missing.

The jury also heard from one of Ms Skeites’ colleagues, Paige Collett, who was getting ready to enter the building when the victim was attacked.

She said: “I was in my car when I received a phone call from a colleague. I thought it was because I was running 10 minutes late, but she said Carla had gone downstairs to speak to Ashraf. They were walking together towards the building when I saw them.

“As they got closer it got a bit more heated, with Ashraf’s arms raised in the air. I didn’t hear what they were saying. Carla then buzzed in her pass [to enter the front door] - when I noticed the door was shut, that’s when I got out of my car and walked towards the building.

“I got to the pavement and somebody shouted no to enter as someone had been stabbed. I remember screaming, ‘that’s my boss’ and saw blood on the glass door.”

Ms Collett added that she could tell it was Ms Skeites who had been attacked by her white jacket, but she had been surrounded by people who had rushed to her aid.

One of those people was Lauren Fry of VU Bathrooms, a company also based at 3600 Parkway. She was in her office when Ms Skeites was attacked.

Giving evidence in court, she said: “I sat down after getting my coffee and then heard a noise - I said, ‘why does it sound like someone is dying’ and got up to see what was going on.

“I saw Carla screaming, followed by a male carrying a knife. He was about two steps behind her; she tried to close the door, then let go and ran.”

Ms Fry added that her showroom’s front door was locked, so had to go and get the keys before going out to help Ms Skeites. By that point, she had been attacked and Ashraf was being restrained. She then rushed over to help with first aid until paramedics arrived.

(Proceeding)