Man Guilty Of Trying To Kill Pregnant Girlfriend

A man from Broxbourne has been convicted of attempted murder after stabbing his pregnant girlfriend.

Cenk Ates, from The Springs in Broxbourne was accused of attempting to murder his girlfriend,

Natasha Cliff was seven months pregnant when 23-year-old Cenk Ates stabbed her in the stomach at an address in Sandringham Way, Waltham Cross back in January.

She was rushed to hospital where the child was delivered and she was given emergency surgery for internal injuries - both survived.

Ates, from The Springs in Broxbourne, offered a plea to a Section 20 wounding, however Hertfordshire Constabulary, with the support of the Crown Prosecution Service, pursued an attempted murder charge and trial.

The jury took just two and a half hours to find him guilty.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean O’Neil from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “Thankfully no one died from Ates’ actions that day. It was due to the specialist care they both received at Chase Farm and Barnet Hospitals that their lives were saved, in particular her daughter who had to be delivered two months premature. I am pleased that the baby is now doing well.

“This was a horrendous crime and it has been such a difficult time for the victim and her family.  The Ates’ family have also had a difficult time coming to terms with their son’s actions and have been fully supportive of the police investigation.

“I am pleased that the jury were able to come to a quick conclusion and found Cenk Ates guilty for his atrocious actions that day.”

Ates will be sentenced on 24th June at St Albans Crown Court.