Suspected Bay Roberts stabber broke order to stay away from alleged victim, police say

Jason King, the man accused of stabbing his former girlfriendTuesdayat a Bay Roberts shopping centre, was on a court order to stay away from her.

King, 45, appeared atprovincial court in Harbour Grace Wednesday on a number of charges following anincident at the Dollarama inside the Bay Roberts Mall.

RCMP confirmed Wednesday King was an employee at the Dollarama where the stabbing happened. CBC News has learned King was working the day of the incident.

A 33-year-old woman was taken to hospital Tuesday with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Family of the alleged victim said she was stabbed several times during the attack.

The woman has major injuriesbut is recovering, the alleged victim's sister said.

She said King and her sister were in a relationship but it's now over.

She said her sister had gone to Dollarama to get water the day she was stabbed.

Reports of past violent incidents

King has been charged with attempted murder, as well as assault with a knife against a man.

Witnesses have told CBC News that a man came to the woman's aid and chased King.

In addition to the more serious charges,King is accused of breaching a probation order to stay away from thewoman he is alleged to have attempted to kill.

CBC News has also learned King was convicted of assaulting the woman and breaking her windshield and glasses last June. At the time, King was placed on a no-contact order.

OnMonday, the day before the stabbing,King had beencharged with threatening and assaulting the same woman, as well as smashing her cell phone.

A charge of breach of probation was laid Monday for failing to stay away from the alleged victim.

King has previous convictions for assault andassault causing bodily harm.

King, who is being sent to St. John's for a psychiatric assessment,will be backin courtApril 6.

Domestic violence

9 years ago

Duration 2:43

Debbie Cooper spoke to Connie Pike, a former police officer and a women's advocate, in the wake of a stabbing in Bay Roberts.