Laurence Worville, 51, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for the attempted murder of his estranged wife, whom he deliberately struck with his car before beating her with a baseball bat. The attack occurred on May 7 last year in Hull, leaving the woman with severe injuries including a badly broken leg, a deep head wound, and a broken finger. She spent 10 days in hospital.
Calculating and Premeditated Attack
Worville, formerly of Spring Bank West, had been released from prison just days before the assault. He tracked down his wife by breaking into his former workplace at Royal Mail to steal mail redirection details that revealed her new address. He had previously been convicted of assaulting her and was under a restraining order.
During the trial, Worville claimed he was angry that his wife had allowed his koi carp to die while he was in prison. He denied attempted murder but was found guilty by a jury at Hull Crown Court.
Heroic Intervention by Passers-by
Judge John Thackray KC described the CCTV footage as 'truly horrifying.' It showed Worville accelerating his silver Volkswagen Polo towards the woman, pinning her against railings in Chanterlands Avenue. He then got out and repeatedly struck her on the head with a baseball bat he had purchased the previous day. The attack was halted when several men intervened, restraining Worville until police arrived. A woman also tended to the victim.
Judge Thackray stated: 'But for the intervention of those brave men who intervened, you would have continued the attack and almost certainly have killed her.' He added that Worville showed no remorse, shouting that he hoped the injuries were hurting her, and during the trial displayed 'not a jot of genuine remorse.'
Breach of Restraining Order and Previous Violence
Prosecutor Nick Adlington detailed that Worville broke into the Royal Mail depot on May 6 to obtain the mail redirection stickers. The following day, he drove to her location armed with the baseball bat. He deliberately mounted the pavement and struck her, then continued the attack on the ground until restrained. Worville was in breach of a restraining order imposed in April last year, which prohibited him from contacting her. He had previously admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two other assaults against the same woman.
Victim's Impact and Statement
In a victim impact statement read in court, the woman said: 'My anxiety levels go through the roof when I go past that road where it happened. I am in constant fear when I think 'What if?'' She now walks with a limp due to a titanium rod in her leg and has permanent scars.
After the sentencing, she urged others in similar situations to seek help: 'My final plea goes to anyone who recognises themselves in this situation or has been affected after hearing what happened to me, please reach out and talk to someone. Whether that’s a trusted friend, or family member, the police, charity or support agency, please tell someone. I wish I had done it sooner.'
Sentence and Commendations
Judge Thackray sentenced Worville to 24 years in prison with an additional four years on licence, citing a serious risk to the public. He also announced that those who intervened would receive commendations from the chief constable. David Cattle disarmed Worville and restrained him, while Jay Wainwright and David Makey helped move the car off the victim. Kirsty Meyerhoff and cafe owner John Cheeseman were commended for providing aid until paramedics arrived.
Detective Inspector Helen Collier of Humberside Police's Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Investigation Team said: 'Worville is a cruel and calculating man who set out that day armed with two weapons - his car and a baseball bat - to cause fear, alarm, and attempt to kill an innocent woman.' She commended the public's bravery and noted that Worville forced the victim to relive the ordeal during the trial by denying intent to kill.
