Suffolk man convicted of attempted murder at Burnham Beeches
It's after an incident in May
- WARNING: This article contains distressing details *
After an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man who brutally attacked his partner in Burnham Beeches in May has been convicted of attempted murder.
Robert Reardon, 31, of High Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk, pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court to attempted murder and possession of a bladed article on Monday (27/10).
On 23 May this year, at around 4pm, Reardon asked the victim, a man in his twenties, to use their mobile phone. They walked into woodland together, where the victim then saw a message Reardon had written on the victim’s phone, suggesting the victim had suicidal thoughts, which was untrue.
Reardon had intended to send this to the victim’s mother, in an attempt to cover up his plan to attack the victim, but the message did not send. Moments after the victim saw this message, Reardon launched a ferocious attack on him, stabbing the victim repeatedly with a steak knife.
Despite pleading for mercy, the victim was stabbed in the back and throat, struck with a candle, and strangled. He bravely fought back, disarming Reardon twice and attempting to flee. The attack only ended when the victim managed to escape, running to the road to find a dog walker, who called 999.
This prompted Reardon to flee the scene, but he was arrested the following day (24/5).
The victim sustained serious injuries, but survived thanks to emergency medical care.
Detective Constable Connor Townsend from the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “This was a horrific and sustained assault. Reardon clearly intended to kill. His guilty plea was the only appropriate outcome.
“I commend the victim’s courage and hope this conviction helps him move forward.
“Domestic abuse can happen to anybody, and such violence will never be tolerated by Thames Valley Police. I would urge anyone who is going through domestic abuse of any kind to come forward and trust that Thames Valley Police will do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice. If you are in immediate danger, call us on 999.”
Reardon will be sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on 4 December.
Information on how to report domestic abuse is available on our website, along with signposting to a number of organisations who can support you. Support organisations for victims of domestic violence | Thames Valley Police