A MAN has been convicted of wounding his estranged wife following a trial.

Allan Murgatroyd, 61, of St Clements Court, Barrowford, was cleared of the more serious charges of attempted murder and section 18 wounding with intent by a jury at Preston Crown Court. He had denied the charges

Police launched an investigation after they were called to Todber Caravan Park, Burnley Road, Gisburn in the early hours of Sunday 11th November 2007 to reports that a woman had been stabbed.

Mrs Linda Murgatroyd, having finished work at the club on the caravan park, visited a friend who lives in a nearby caravan. She left there after 3am to return to her own caravan. She unlocked the door and on entering became immediately aware of the accused approaching her from her bedroom holding a knife.

During a struggle the pair fell to the floor and Mrs Murgatroyd, 44, suffered knife injuries to her hands, mouth, abdomen and knee.

The detective who led the investigation, Det Chief Insp Tim Leeson, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for Mrs Murgatroyd, who feared for her life during this unprovoked attack, made all the more aggravating as it occurred in her own home". "I am pleased that Alan Murgatroyd has been found guilty of this cowardly attack on his estranged wife, and Lancashire Constabulary will continue to deal robustly with persons committing offences of this nature."

Allan Murgatroyd will be sentenced at a later date.