Dad stabbed mum on way to work in front of son in Edinburgh

A teenager rushed to help his mum after his dad subjected her to a life-threatening knife attack, which was captured on a mobile phone by an onlooker.

Leonard Baltac, 53, attacked the woman in Edinburgh, on August 14, 2021.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Baltac blocked the victim’s path while she was on her way to work before getting out of his car and approaching hers.

Prosecutor Brian Gill KC told the court: “He was in possession of a knife. He smashed the front passenger window of the complainer’s car with the handle of the knife before attempting to open the door, which was locked.

“He then walked around to the driver’s side and smashed the window before reaching in and opening the door.

“Thereafter, he cut the complainer’s seatbelt with the knife before dragging her onto the ground.

“Whilst doing so, he repeatedly struck her on the face and head with the knife. Whilst on the ground, the complainer raised her legs to defend herself.

“Baltac struck her on the legs and hand with the knife and then repeatedly punched and kicked her on the head and body.

“Several neighbours of the complainer were awoken by the noise of the ongoing incident. Part of the assault and its aftermath was filmed by a neighbour on a mobile telephone.

“The complainer’s son heard his mother screaming. He ran outside and saw that his mother was being attacked by his father.

“He tried to push the accused away from the complainer and eventually managed to drag his mother away.”

He then phoned 999 and stated: “My dad just stabbed my mum.”

Baltac pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting the woman to her severe injury, permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of her life.

Mr Gill added: “After his son telephoned 999, Baltac walked to the opposite side of the road.

“He remained there waiting for the police to arrive making no attempt to flee the scene.

“Numerous members of the public were in the street when the officers arrived helping the complainer who was severely injured and covered in blood.

“They pointed out the accused to the officers. As they approached he lay on his stomach and put his hands behind his back stating: ‘I did it. I am free.’”

The court heard that the victim was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she stayed as an inpatient for the next month.

Medics there discovered she had numerous injuries such as 14 centimetres “full thickness” cut from her right ear, a seven-centimetre laceration to the left ankle with tendon and Achilles “tendon ruptures”.

Mr Gill added: “She was admitted to the major trauma ward. She remained an inpatient at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh until September 16.

“On being discharged, she was admitted to Astley Ainslie Hospital as an outpatient for rehabilitation.”

Mr Gill said the injuries sustained by the complainer would be lifelong.

He added: “The complainer has been left with significant permanent scarring to her face as well as scarring at the site of her other injuries.

“The damage to the facial nerve resulted in paralysis to the right side of her forehead and a visual imbalance in her face.

“She will not fully regain full sensation or use of the facial muscles. There is continuing loss of sensation and movement in the hand to a small degree.”

The court heard that Baltac, who observed proceedings with the help of an interpreter, had one previous conviction from January 2023 for careless driving.

Defence advocate Lili Prais KC told the court that she’d reserve her mitigation for a sentencing hearing, which will be held later this year.

Lady Ross continued to remand Baltac.

She said: “This is a very serious offence, and I will reserve further observations on it until a later hearing.

“You will continue to be remanded.”

Baltac will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh in April 2025.