James McKenna, 57, has been convicted of attempting to murder his former partner after stabbing her multiple times in Carmarthen Park. The jury at Swansea Crown Court returned a unanimous guilty verdict on Monday, July 27.
Attack in broad daylight
McKenna targeted Joanne Sidaway in the park on the afternoon of January 29. He had earlier visited the same park and then went to Carmarthenshire Museum in Abergwili, looking for her. When he did not find her there, he returned to the park, knowing she often walked her dog there.
At around 4pm, a neighbour of Miss Sidaway heard what she described as “very high-pitched screams” coming from bushes near the Picton Terrace entrance. McKenna had stabbed Miss Sidaway repeatedly, causing four penetrating wounds to the left side of her chest, wounds to her upper arm, and defensive injuries to her hands.
Aftermath and arrest
After the attack, McKenna left the park and headed to a nearby allotment, where police later recovered the blood-stained 30cm kitchen knife. He then went into hiding in woodland near Carmarthen before travelling by taxi and public transport to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, where he sought treatment for frostbite. Police spotted and arrested him at the hospital on February 2.
Miss Sidaway was taken to hospital and survived the attack thanks to “pure luck,” according to prosecution barrister James Wilson.
Trial and verdict
McKenna admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a knife in a public place but denied attempted murder, telling the court he had not intended to kill her. The jury retired shortly after 10am on July 27 and returned a unanimous guilty verdict at around 12.45pm.
Judge Paul Thomas KC told McKenna he will be sentenced on September 2.
Police statement
Detective chief inspector Sian Davies of Dyfed-Powys Police said: “I’d like to thank the local community for their support during what was an incredibly shocking and distressing time for the people of Carmarthen and further afield. I would also like to thank everyone who came forward with information during our public appeal to trace McKenna following this appalling attack. Incidents of this nature are extremely rare in our force area and we remain committed to tackling violence against women and girls. 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. I would like to recognise the dedication of the officers and staff from across Dyfed-Powys Police who were involved in the immediate response to the incident, the search to locate the suspect, and the diligent investigation that followed. It’s thanks to their hard work, and the verdict delivered by the jury, that James McKenna has been found guilty of this shocking act of violence.”
