Defendant Admits Wounding but Denies Intent to Kill
James McKenna, 45, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of attempting to murder his former partner Joanne Sidaway, 42, in an ambush in Carmarthen Park on January 29, 2026. McKenna admits wounding with intent and possessing a bladed article in a public place, but denies attempted murder.
The prosecution alleges McKenna intended to kill Sidaway, while the defence argues his intent was limited to causing really serious harm. The trial is expected to last several days.
Attack Details: Knife, Screams, and Blood
On the morning of the attack, McKenna packed a 30cm kitchen knife in a rucksack and walked to Carmarthen Park, where Sidaway lived nearby and regularly walked her dog. After walking around the park, he took a taxi into the town centre before returning in the afternoon.
At just after 4pm, a neighbour heard "very high-pitched screams" from bushes near the Picton Terrace entrance. She saw a man running away and found Sidaway bleeding from multiple wounds. Sidaway suffered four penetrating wounds to the left side of her chest, penetrating wounds to her upper arm, and defensive wounds to her hands.
Arrest and Evidence
Police recovered a blood-stained knife from allotments near the park with McKenna's fingerprints on the handle. McKenna was arrested on February 2 after attending hospital in Aberystwyth with frostbite to his feet.
In a prepared statement, McKenna admitted having the knife and being responsible for Sidaway's injuries, but denied trying to kill her. The prosecution barrister, James Wilson, told the jury: "He accepts he had the knife. He accepts he unlawfully attacked Miss Sidaway. He accepts he intended to cause really serious harm. The prosecution does not accept his intent was limited to causing really serious harm. It is the prosecution case that he intended to kill her. Therefore, the issue in the trial will be his intent at the time of the attack."
Court Proceedings
On the first day of the trial, a juror had to be discharged. The trial continues at Swansea Crown Court. Subscribers can follow updates on the court blog.
