Homicidal man jailed after trying to kill innocent Exeter couple

A homicidal knifeman who tried to kill two strangers during a savage city centre attack told police “I’ve livened up Exeter a bit”.

Leon Telemacque attempted to murder a 24-year-old man and his 23-year-old girlfriend in Bampfylde Street. The couple had been waiting at a bus stop before the 31-year-old launched his brutal assault.

CCTV captured the moment he attacked them from behind with a 20cm blade, stabbing the man three times and the woman twice.

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Audio captured the screams as he jabbed the knife at the couple then chased the man, who drew the attacker away from his girlfriend, onto Sidwell Street.

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A group of students helped the victim and followed Telemacque as he ran away. The attacker was arrested a few minutes later near the Vue cinema by taser-carrying police.

Knife used by Leon Telemacque in Exeter
Knife used by Leon Telemacque in Exeter

Telemacque, from Birmingham, admitted two charges of attempted murder and has been jailed for life at Exeter Crown Court. The judge said he must serve a minimum of 17 years and 132 days before he can be considered for release.

Judge James Adkin said: “You had been standing in the vicinity for about an hour watching the victims and their friend [who boarded a coach]. With no provocation or indication you violently attacked them from behind.”

He said it was “highly likely” the male victim would have been killed had he not raised his hand to protect his throat from the knife and there was no doubt Telemacque intended to murder them both.

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“You pose an imminent risk to members of the public of causing harm by stabbing them,” the judge told Telemacque.

Knife used by Leon Telemacque in Exeter
Knife used by Leon Telemacque in Exeter

He added: "What you did defies rational explanation" and that he may remain in custody for the rest of his life.

Prosecutor David Scutt told the court how Telemacque, of St Clements Road, had travelled by coach to Exeter on the afternoon of 17 May 2024.

He was captured alone on CCTV later that evening, hanging around a bus stop of Bampfylde Street. The victims had seen a friend off from the bus stop at around 2am on 18 May and were walking away when Telemacque followed and attacked them.

He grabbed the 24-year-old man by the arm and attempted to stab him multiple times in the neck. The victim also suffered knife wounds to his hand as he tried to protect himself.

Telemacque then stabbed the 23-year-old woman in the chest as she fell to the floor. He chased the male brandishing the kitchen knife after they had managed to fight him off. Telemacque only stopped his pursuit when the victim reached busy Sidwell Street.

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Telemacque walked away unaware that a group of passers-by were guiding police officers to his location. He tried to flee the area and threw the knife to the ground as he was arrested.

The judge praised the action of the passers-by and awarded them £200 each from the public purse.

Impact statements from both victims were read to the court.

Leon Telemacque arrested by police in Exeter
Leon Telemacque arrested by police in Exeter

The male victim said: “I was terrified and thought we were both going to die when I saw that knife in his hand…I will be stuck with those scenes for the rest of my life.”

The female victim added: “At night, when I’m walking, I will keep looking back over my shoulder; I feel like I need to get out of wherever I am. I can’t get the fear out of my head.

“I won’t forget the feeling of having someone trying to kill me and having to defend myself and to protect someone else.”

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Jason Beal, defending, said a psychiatric report diagnosed Telemacque with a delusional disorder. When he was arrested he made comments about being "set-up" by the government who thought he was a Russian spy and other comments about being drugged. He said he could not remember being in Exeter and said he was disappointed in himself if he had attacked the pair.

But Judge Adkin said his actions in trying to dispose of the knife and "livening up Exeter" did not suggest he was delusional at the time. Telemacque has nothing similar on his record.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sam Heys said: “This was a frenzied, random and unprovoked attack by Telemacque on two completely innocent victims who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“We cannot underestimate the impact that such an event will have had on them and those who witnessed the incident. It also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of carrying and using a knife.

“I welcome the sentence passed down by the judge today and hope that the victims can now begin to gain some closure and move forward with their lives. I’d also like to thank them for their bravery in supporting the police investigation through such an incredibly challenging time.”

If you have been affected by crime, please visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system. You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.

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