The trial of James McKenna, accused of attempting to murder his ex-partner Joanne Sidaway by stabbing her repeatedly in the chest during an ambush in Carmarthen Park, has begun at Swansea Crown Court. McKenna, 57, denies attempted murder but has pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possessing a bladed article in a public place.
Prosecution Opens Case
Prosecution barrister James Wilson told the jury that on January 29, McKenna packed a kitchen knife in his rucksack and walked from his home in Carmarthen to Carmarthen Park, an area where Sidaway regularly walked her dog. CCTV showed both individuals in the park separately that morning, but McKenna did not approach her, possibly because other people were present.
McKenna then took a taxi to Carmarthen town centre, where he was seen on CCTV at various locations before returning to the park in the afternoon. Sidaway also returned to walk her dog again.
Attack and Aftermath
Just after 4 p.m., a neighbor of Sidaway heard "very high-pitched screams" and saw movements and shaking in bushes near the Picton Terrace entrance. The neighbor then saw a man running away and found Sidaway bleeding from wounds to her hands. Sidaway told her friend that McKenna had stabbed her. The neighbor took Sidaway home and tended to her wounds while emergency services were called.
The court heard that Sidaway suffered four penetrating wounds to her chest, penetrating wounds to her upper arm, and defensive wounds to her hands. Paramedics arrived at 4:16 p.m. and found her covered in blood. An examination of her clothing revealed 11 cuts made by a stabbing action and two by slashes.
Defendant's Movements and Arrest
CCTV footage showed McKenna running from the scene towards nearby allotments carrying an item. Police later recovered a blood-stained kitchen knife wrapped in a calendar from the allotments, along with a rucksack. DNA matching Sidaway's was found on the knife, as were McKenna's fingerprints.
McKenna was arrested on February 2 after attending the A&E department at Aberystwyth hospital with frostbite to his feet. In a prepared statement, he accepted having a knife and being responsible for Sidaway's injuries but denied any intent to kill her.
Prosecution's Argument on Intent
Wilson argued that McKenna's intent to kill was evidenced by him packing the knife that morning, the size of the knife—a lethal weapon with a total length of 30cm—the fact he had no reason to be in the park that afternoon, the multiple wounds to the chest, and the damage to Sidaway's clothing. He stated, "It was not an isolated blow. There were multiple blows to the chest area, a vulnerable part of the body."
Wilson suggested that Sidaway's survival may be due to her heavy coat, her defensive efforts, her screams causing McKenna to pause, or "simply, her profound good luck that she did not die."
Trial Continues
The trial, expected to last seven days, continues with the jury hearing evidence from CCTV, maps, and photographs. A juror was discharged on the first day, and a new juror was selected, requiring the prosecution to re-open its case. McKenna, of Bro Hedydd, Carmarthen, denies attempted murder.
