THE jury in the trial of a teacher accused of attempting to murder his on-off partner with a knife has retired to consider verdicts in the case.

Matthew Jones, 28, a teacher of Sociology and History at Frome College, admits causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Emma Kirk, 24, after they met in a lane in Bath on February 26 this year.

Bristol Crown Court has heard Jones stabbed Miss Kirk, a fellow teacher, about 15 times with the blade, inflicting injuries to her neck, head and face.

Jurors have been told the attack was so frenzied that it took five men to drag Jones off Miss Kirk, and even then he tried to strangle her.

Jones has insisted he was not intending to kill Miss Kirk during the incident, and claims she brought the knife to the scene – not him.

Judge Julian Lambert sent jurors to consider their verdicts in the trial, which began this week, on Friday afternoon.

Earlier, Jones gave evidence and told the court he only stabbed Miss Kirk once – describing the other injuries she sustained as “cuts”.

He told the jury: “If I had wanted to kill Emma at any point, Emma would not be here now.”

The defendant denied grabbing at Miss Kirk’s neck after he was disarmed by members of the public, and said he had been trying to push her clothing to her neck to stop the bleeding.

Sam Jones, prosecuting, previously described how Jones and Miss Kirk met at university before becoming “romantically involved”.

The attack took place after Miss Kirk told Jones she did not wish to see him again but agreed to meet him in a lane near her home to return Christmas gifts he had given her.

It is alleged that Jones then produced a knife and demanded to see Miss Kirk’s mobile phone, causing her to run away. He is said to have pulled her to the ground before stabbing her.

Miss Kirk sustained two punctured lungs, and multiple wounds to her hands as she grabbed at the blade.

An off-duty police officer, members of the public and paramedics went to assist Miss Kirk, and administered first aid.

Mr Jones, prosecuting, previously told jurors that Miss Kirk would have died if they had not done so.

Giving evidence, Miss Kirk said: “He brought the knife and attacked me with it and chased me and dragged me to the ground and stabbed me repeatedly until he was dragged off.”

Jones, of Ivy Avenue, Southdown, Bath, denies charges of attempted murder and having an article with a blade or point in a public place. But he admits causing her grievous bodily harm with intent.

The trial continues.