AN EastEnders star who flew into a “rage” and knifed a woman after she turned him down has avoided jail.
Harry Rafferty, 34, threatened to kill the woman and slashed her across the chest, stomach and face during a confrontation at a friend’s house in Camden, north London.
Rafferty is known for portraying violent gang leader Kane in BBC soap EastEnders in 2013.
Wood Green Crown Court heard that he and a pal had been out drinking when they met the victim and a friend of hers at a bar on May 15, 2021, the Evening Standard reports.
They continued socialising at Rafferty’s friend’s house.
Prosecutor Frida Hussain KC said that the woman described Rafferty “making sexual advances that she rejected, and she had to justify why she didn’t want anything to do with him”.
Rafferty then went into an “undue rage” and threatened to kill the woman and suggesting he could have other people attack her, the court was told.
The prosecuter added: “He went on to punch her several times in the face and chest, while attacking her with a bladed article. She received cuts to her face and slash marks to her upper chest and abdomen.”
The woman defended herself and sought to find safety in the bathroom, the court heard.
Police were called and they found Rafferty’s fingerprints on the handle of a broken knife which was used in the vicious attack.
Rafferty wept and told Judge David Aaronberg KC he was “deeply remorseful” as he was sentenced earlier this month.
The judge slammed him for denying the charge of assault and putting the woman through the ordeal of cross-examination at trial, despite “overwhelming” evidence against him.
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
But despite this, the judge suspended Rafferty’s two-year jail sentence, in part due to court delays and a lack of space in prison.
The judge said: “I don’t want to lock you up but you have got to get your life sorted out. You have a drinking problem, and you are drinking in the last chance saloon.”
The court was also tolk Rafferty had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and he may have been suffering from psychosis at the time – factors which the judge also took into account.
Rafferty, of Haverstock Road in Camden, admitted making threats to kill, and was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a trial.
He must do 140 hours of community service, spend 20 days in rehab and go to a 12-month alcohol treatment course.
A restraining order issued, banning him indefinitely from contacting the victim.
