Pensioner jailed after 'frenzied' attack on retirement home manager with knife and meat cleaver

A pensioner has been jailed for trying to murder a retirement home manager with a knife and meat cleaver in a “frenzied” attack.

Fred Butcher, 80, repeatedly knifed Mina Turner and hit her on the back of the head with the blunt end of the cleaver, leaving her with injuries including a perforated bowel, liver damage, fractured bones and permanent tendon damage to her wrist.

The attack, at a care home in Maidstone, was only stopped when visitor Patrick Gatt heard screams and saw Butler straddled over Mrs Turner stabbing her in the stomach.

When arrested, Butcher said: “I meant to kill her. She’s been winding me up.”

He then began to laugh and told police: “I bet she doesn’t wind anybody else up in a ******* hurry. I’m on top of the world. I’m glad I’ve done it. I’m sorry I never ******* killed her. I’m 80 years old.”

Butler was jailed for 13 years and three months at Maidstone Crown Court after admitting attempted murder.

The court heard that Mrs Turner, now 61, spent one month at King’s College Hospital in London and a further week at Maidstone Hospital.

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She has since had to return to work despite ongoing issues with her right wrist and her family had to sell their two cars and pawn jewellery to make up for the financial loss.

In a victim impact statement Mrs Turner said: “The attack by Fred Butcher has changed my life dramatically and at 60 it’s a lot harder to overcome all the associated trauma both physically and mentally.”

Sentencing Butcher, Judge Philip Statman said: “You expressly indicated to officers that you were sorry that you had not killed your victim. From that day to this you have expressed not an inkling of remorse.

“No one could’ve foreseen that which you have perpetrated on this violent attack upon your victim.”

Butler’s sentencing was repeatedly adjourned for psychiatric reports since last July but in February a psychiatrist said the widower was not suitable for a hospital order.

In previous hearings, the court heard Butcher’s face was “distorted with rage” as he launched the attack.

Ben Irwin, defending Butcher, said he was in a period of bereavement following the death of his wife in March 2016.

He said Butcher had become fixated on Mrs Turner and believed she had killed the fish at Hengist Court and poured bleach into plants.

Detective Inspector Tristan Kluibenschadl from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “This was a frenzied assault which was also wholly unprovoked. Butcher had every intention of killing a woman, simply because he harboured resentment, over some trivial matters at the home.

“Had it not been for the brave intervention of a man who witnessed the attack, I have no doubt Butcher’s actions would have had fatal consequences.

“The victim has undergone an extremely traumatic and life-changing experience which will no doubt continue to have long-term physical and mental scars.”

(Top picture: SWNS)