A man who repeatedly stabbed his ex-partner in a park and then ran away, prompting a four-day manhunt, has been found guilty of attempted murder. James McKenna, 57, from Carmarthen, attacked Joanne Sidaway, 49, in Carmarthen Park on 29 January before hiding for three days and being arrested at a hospital in Aberystwyth.
A jury at Swansea Crown Court heard it was “luck” that she did not die, and that her winter coat helped save her. McKenna had previously pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.
Sidaway screamed as she was attacked in the chest by McKenna in the bushes of Carmarthen Park on 29 January. She phoned for an ambulance and said:
I've been stabbed by my ex-partner... he's been stalking me
After the attack, there was a large emergency response near the park.
McKenna was found after hiding in a woodland near Carmarthen for three days without food or water. He was arrested at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, as he awaited medical treatment for suspected frostbite.
What did McKenna tell the jury?
During the five-day trial, McKenna told the jury he had put the newest, sharpest knife from his kitchen in his bag that morning, with the intention of using it to hurt Sidaway. He said he was
devastatedafter their relationship ended after about a year, and told the court he wanted to cause Sidaway
serious harmbut not kill her.
He said:
I felt she was reluctant to re-engage with me, and not even say hello
McKenna went to the park in the morning of 29 January, during Sidaway's first walk with the dog, but told the jury there were too many people around.
He said:
I was very angry. I had the knife with me
He added:
There was no opportunity to talk to her. She didn't show any interest.
He returned again in the afternoon, and waited for her to enter the park at about 16:00 GMT before hiding in between two hedges. He said:
She was talking to her dog, and that's when I came out. I attacked her with the knife
When asked by defence barrister Caroline Rees KC to explain his feelings at the time, he said:
Adrenaline, a lot of fear. It wasn't logical.
