Jail for man who tried to kill ex and gave heroin to toddler (From Daily Echo)
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Roger Weir jailed for trying to kill ex and giving heroin to toddler
12:31pm Friday 12th October 2012 in News
Roger Weir
A man who tried to murder his former girlfriend by savagely attacking her with a meat cleaver and axe, before giving their toddler daughter heroin, has been jailed for 18 years.
Roger Weir was told by a judge he could only estimate the emotional and psychological impact the grievous attack had on his ex fiancée Gillian Blackmore who was forced to run for her life, naked and blood soaked.
In an unusual step in court this morning, 45-year-old Weir asked to address the judge himself so he could "apologise unreservedly" for what he did in the early hours of May 6 this year at Miss Blackmore's flat in Alexander Square, Eastleigh.
Standing up he said:" I wish to apologise for my conduct....I apologise unreservedly."
He said that while there was mitigation to be heard on his behalf he in no way wanted it to be seen as justification or a defence for him attempting to murder Miss Blackmore.
He continued: "It is Gillian and (our daughter) who are the victims in this matter and not I."
It was just after midnight on May 6 when the horrific attack took place as Weir brought their toddler daughter home to her mum early, claiming she wouldn't settle.
He then refused to leave, instead producing an adapted boat flare gun which he shot Miss Blackmore with in her side.
He then began hitting her with a metal baton before he swung the meat cleaver at the back of her neck twice.
The court was told by his barrister Nigel Pascoe QC how Weir, of Slough Lane, Poole, had suffered from bouts of depression since his teenage years and had said repeatedly that he wanted to end his life, making attempts on occasions and self harming.
But jailing him for 16 years for the attempted murder and a further two years for giving his 20-month old daughter heroin through a syringe, Judge Keith Cutler said if the blows he had dealt to Miss Blackmore's neck had landed on her head she would be dead.
Weir pleaded guilty to both charges when he appeared in court earlier this week.
