Ryan Madden, 37, of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to an extended 17-year term for attempted murder after stabbing a sleeping man 14 times with a large knife. The attack followed a 'trivial' argument between the two homeless men who were staying at a flat in Cwmbran.
Attack details
The victim, who had fallen asleep after the argument, woke to find Madden attacking him. Initially thinking he was being punched, he soon realized he was being stabbed. After a struggle, the defendant was disarmed, and the victim was taken to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with wounds to his jaw, neck, shoulder, arms, and hands.
Madden left the scene but was later arrested at a friend's property. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder and has 34 previous convictions for 66 offences, including violence and possession of weapons.
Court remarks
Judge Paul Hobson described the attack as a 'disturbing and extreme reaction to a trivial argument' and noted it was 'pure fortune' that the victim did not die. Madden, who had taken Valium and has a history of substance misuse, said he had no recollection of the incident.
Due to his guilty plea, Madden received a 17-year extended sentence: 12 years in custody and a five-year extended licence. He must serve two-thirds of the custodial term before parole consideration.
