A man who police say frequently abused the mother of his one-year-old child and two other sweethearts was yesterday killed by one of them, when he attacked her with a knife.

The man was killed in full view of patients and staff at the Bethel Town Health Centre in Westmoreland.

In custody

Late yesterday evening, police were still collecting statements from persons who witnessed the stabbing of 43-year-old Rohan Tulloch, mason of York in the parish. Up to press time, police had not laid any charge against the 21-year-old woman, but police said it was likely she would remain in custody until investigations were complete.

Reports from the police are that Tulloch had previously beaten and threatened to kill his child's mother, who had lodged reports at the station prior to yesterday's incident. They say the couple had a dispute at the woman's house on Tuesday night when he threatened to kill her. She contacted the Bethel Town police and reported the matter.

Attacked her with a knife

Early yesterday morning, she visited the police station and lodged a complaint. The police went in search of Tulloch but he was not found. The woman was later walking along the road when Tulloch jumped from bushes and attacked her with a knife. He was restrained by his brother and the woman escaped.

At about 9:15 a.m. she was at the health centre with her child when Tulloch visited and demanded that she talk to him outside, but she refused. He reportedly took the baby from her and went outside. The woman followed and he punched her in the mouth and brandished a ratchet knife, but was stabbed with an ice pick.