A 26-year-old man who stabbed his wife with a large kitchen knife in a street attack in Bradford city centre has been jailed for five years.

Shafiq Shah, a convicted Bradford rioter and drug dealer, had left Cherelle Easy with “a significant and disfiguring scar” to her arm, Judge Robert Bartfield said at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Shah, of Iqbal Court, Laisterdyke, Bradford, knifed Miss Easy after meeting her on Leeds Road at 4am on January 7. He later went on to punch her in the face and to rain blows on his sister, Zeenat Bibi, when she flung herself on her injured sister-in-law to protect her.

Shah was sentenced for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified on December 28, unlawfully wounding Miss Easy, having a bladed article and causing her actual bodily harm and common assault on Miss Bibi.

Prosecutor Richard Clews said Shah was on bail when he led police on a high speed chase across the centre of Bradford. He switched off his car lights to try to evade pursuing officers and drove at 70mph in a 30mph zone.

Shah accelerated away from the police on Bolton Road and sped down Lumb Lane and Salt Street before abandoning the car and being captured on foot.

Bailed again, he arranged to meet Miss Easy on January 7 after the separated couple argued on the phone.

He drew a 6in bladed knife from his waistband, threatened to kill her and stabbed her in the arm causing a wound needing four stitches.

Judge Bartfield asked to see Miss Easy’s scar and said it was “unsightly and permanent.”

Shah took the injured Miss Easy to his sister’s home and attacked her again.Mr Clews said Miss Bibi flung herself on Miss Easy as she lay on the floor to protect her. Shah rained blows on both women, causing his sister bruising to her face, arms and back.

Shah’s solicitor advocate, Anne-Marie Hutton, said he deserved credit for pleading guilty to all the offences.

He was a drug addict at the time. He knew his marriage was over and was now drug free and working hard in prison.

Judge Bartfield made a restraining order to protect Miss Easy from Shah.

After the case, DC Paul Riley, of Bradford South CID, said: “This was a vicious attack on two innocent women and I am pleased with the sentence passed down by the courts today. I hope his conviction has brought some justice to his victims and that they can begin to move on from their ordeal.”