James McKenna is being sentenced today at Swansea Crown Court for attempting to murder his former partner, Joanne Sidaway, in a daylight knife attack in Carmarthen Park.
The attack took place on the afternoon of January 29 this year, when McKenna armed himself with a large kitchen knife and ambushed Miss Sidaway as she walked her dog in the park.
Attack in the park
A neighbour of Miss Sidaway who was in the park at the time saw her friend's dog and heard "very high-pitched screams" coming from bushes near the Picton Terrace entrance.
McKenna repeatedly stabbed his ex before making off, dumping the knife in nearby allotments and then going on the run.
Miss Sidaway suffered four penetrating wounds to the left side of her chest above and below her breast, penetrating wounds to her upper arm, and "defensive" type wounds to her hand. The court heard it was "pure good fortune" that she survived the attack.
Conviction and sentencing
The defendant was subsequently arrested in Aberystwyth and denied attempted murder. He accepted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a knife in a public place but denied intending to kill Miss Sidaway.
McKenna, of Bro Hedydd, Carmarthen, was convicted at trial in July this year, and sentencing was adjourned for the preparation of reports.
The sentencing hearing is now under way at Swansea Crown Court.
