Man stabbed ex-partner in park before sparking four-day manhunt

A man who repeatedly stabbed his ex-partner in a park then ran away, launching a four-day manhunt, has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Joanne Sidaway, 49, screamed as she was attacked in the chest by James McKenna, 57, 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”.

A jury at Swansea Crown Court heard it was “luck” that she did not die, and that her winter coat helped save her.

After hiding in a woodland near Carmarthen for three days without food or water, McKenna was arrested at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, as he awaited medical treatment for suspected frostbite.

He previously pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on 2 September to be sentenced.

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 “devastated” after their relationship ended after about a year, and told the court he wanted to cause Sidaway “serious harm” but not kill her.

“I felt she was reluctant to re-engage with me, and not even say hello,” he said.

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.

“I was very angry. I had the knife with me,” he said.

“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.

“She was talking to her dog, and that’s when I came out. I attacked her with the knife,” the defendant said.

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.”

“I was shocked at what I had done,” he added.

“I was aiming for her shoulder area and the upper body. I didn’t want to kill her.”

Asked by Judge Paul Thomas KC how many “blows” he remembered landing on Sidaway’s body, he said “six or seven or so”, and agreed with prosecution barrister James Wilson that he was “in a rage of anger”.

He said the attack was interrupted after Sidaway told him to stop and screamed, and a neighbour shouted.

“I hesitated. I froze temporarily. I was in some shock myself,” he said.

“As soon as I heard the neighbour shout, and saw Joanne standing up, I fled the scene and away towards the skate park.”

Neighbour Susan Edwards told the court she heard “high-pitched screaming” and the “bushes shaking” before a man ran away.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes, I couldn’t believe what had just happened.

“I said, ‘Joanne are you alright?’ And she said, ‘Sue, I’ve been stabbed’.”

The jury listened to the 999 call Sidaway made at about 16:10 that day in which she pleaded for an ambulance.

“I’ve been stabbed. I’ve just been stabbed by my ex-partner,” she said.

“[It was] a big kitchen knife… I’ve got at least two wounds, maybe more. Is the ambulance coming?”.

Police bodycam footage was shown to the jury of Sidaway sitting on her doorstep with paramedics, covered in blood.

The jury heard there were 17 areas of damage to Sidaway’s coat, and were shown images of her “extensively blood-stained” clothing as well as injuries to her chest, arm and hand.

Describing the moments following the attack, McKenna told the jury he dumped his rucksack, with the knife, at an allotment near the park after he ate a yoghurt there.

He then walked to Bronwydd, a village about three miles (4km) north of Carmarthen, along the River Gwili.

“I found some shelter, a quiet woodland away from the road,” he said.

“I was devastated and kept having flashbacks.”

McKenna said he was there for three nights, without food or water, before he travelled via taxi and bus to hospital in Aberystwyth.

“I realised I would be apprehended,” he said, “I wanted to go somewhere I considered safe.”

He added: “I’m upset for Joanne. I’m very sorry for what I’ve done to her.”

Speaking after the trial, senior investigating officer, Det Ch Insp Sian Davies, thanked the community for their support during an “incredibly shocking and distressing time for the people of Carmarthen”.

She said: “James McKenna’s actions that day demonstrated a shocking level of pre-planned violence which could have easily led to the victim’s death. I extend my thanks to the jury for their verdict in this case.

“I hope that today’s result provides some reassurance for the victim as she begins to move forward with her life.”