Man jailed for trying to murder estranged wife in Edinburgh knife attack in front of daughter

A man who tried to murder his estranged wife in a knife attack as she made her way to a doctor's appointment with their daughter in a buggy has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Osarenkhoe Atutie, 26, repeatedly stabbed Victory Atutie in the head and on the body during the vicious assault in Edinburgh's Duke Street, Leith, on 11 November 2025.

Atutie inflicted 12 injuries, with the victim suffering scarring to her face and a collapsed lung.

The High Court in Edinburgh previously heard the attack ended when three men ran to the aid of Ms Atutie and detained her former partner.

Atutie was sentenced by judge Lord Cubie at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday after last month pleading guilty to attempted murder.

He was handed an extended sentence of seven-and-a-half years in jail and 18 months of supervision on licence upon release.

During the attack, he made repeated threats of violence, instructed Ms Atutie to follow him, tackled her, and while she was on the ground, held her head and repeatedly stabbed her, causing her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger to her life.

Lord Cubie said: "She could have died as a result of your actions. It is through a combination of luck and the intervention of three passers-by that she survived.

"They disarmed you and held you till police arrived and they are to be commended.

"That the attack took place in front of your daughter is an aggravating factor. You seem to have a limited appreciation of the long-term effects this will have on your partner and child."

Advocate depute Catriona MacLeod told the earlier hearing that Atutie and the victim met and were married in Nigeria about four years before the murder bid.

They moved to London where the child was born, but following a breakdown in the relationship the wife and daughter moved to Edinburgh.

On the day of the attack, they were heading to a doctor's surgery when the child called out "daddy, daddy".

Ms Atutie was said to have told her daughter he was not there and did not think anything of it, but then she saw her ex and immediately panicked.

He reportedly walked over and gave the child a hug, before telling Ms Atutie: "I brought a knife. I will show you."

The court heard she was told to follow him and not seek assistance. She was said to be scared and believed he was going to hurt her.

Atutie grabbed her hair and began to stab her in the head and on the body before men came to her aid and held her attacker.

He was arrested, and while being processed at a police station said: "I am sorry things have got like this."

The knife was described as having a silver blade and being "around 10cm" in length.

The victim had a chest drain inserted and remained in hospital for four days after the attack, which was potentially life-threatening.

The court heard she should make a good physical recovery, but will be left with scarring at the site of her injuries.

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Defence advocate Jonny Campbell, representing Atutie, said: "He was struggling with his mental health at the time of the incident. That does not of course justify his actions.

"He has no previous convictions and he will now have a significant period of reflection to try and understand why he acted in this way towards someone with whom he had been in a long-standing relationship."

He also said there is a significant chance Atutie will be deported.

Alongside the prison sentence, Atutie was additionally banned from contacting his victim.

Detective Sergeant Craig McMillan said: "This was a particularly harrowing incident, and my thoughts are with the victim and her family.

"I'd like to thank those members of the public who came to the victim's aid during the ordeal.

"Without their intervention and assistance, there is a high chance that the victim would not have survived the attack."

(c) Sky News 2026: Man jailed for trying to murder estranged wife in Edinburgh knife attack in front of daughter