South Shields attacker attempted to murder woman in front of onlookers by plunging knife into her chest

A South Shields attacker attempted to murder a woman in front of onlookers by plunging a knife into her chest.

David Fletcher dragged the woman away after meeting her in Durham city centre and subjected her to a horrific knife attack in full view of shocked onlookers after accusing her of sleeping with another man. The 62-year-old was on top of the woman as she screamed for help before a brave female passer-by intervened and disarmed Fletcher, injuring herself in the process.

Despite the attempted daytime killing being captured on camera, Fletcher "blamed" the victim when he was arrested, and lied to police, telling them she had inflicted the stab wounds to herself. The victim survived the attempt after sustaining two stab wounds to her chest but was left a "shell of her former self".

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On Friday, Fletcher, of Dean Road, South Shields, appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced for attempted murder, possession of a knife and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.

The court heard that Fletcher and the woman had previously met "in her professional capacity as a sex worker" and a platonic relationship formed between them, with Fletcher encouraging her to change her lifestyle. However, their relationship was marred by a "background of physical violence" and he had been cautioned by police for assaulting her on another occasion.

On May 2, the woman had been to Peterlee to visit her son and returned to Durham, where she was met by Fletcher at the bus station at around 4pm. But as soon as the pair were alone, Fletcher turned violent.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said: "The defendant started accusing her of having sex with someone and dragged her into a corner at Churchill Square and started to attack her. She thought he was punching her, but she saw he had a knife and [he] was, in fact, stabbing her.

"She shouted for help as the defendant continued stabbing her. He was trying to push the knife into her with two hands and made a deliberate effort to continue the assault even though people were intervening."

The woman's screams alerted passers-by, including a woman who intervened and bravely disarmed Fletcher, cutting herself in the process. The court was told that Fletcher threatened to stab the woman and "swiped the knife at her" as she wrestled the blade from him.

A man then intervened and another woman was able to pull the victim away, as Fletcher tried to continue the attack. The attempted murder was captured on mobile phone footage which was shown in court.

The victim sustained stab wounds to her chest which required stitches and fortunately, none of her vital organs were damaged. Fletcher was later arrested at the scene but "blamed the victim" in police interview, claiming she'd injured herself with the knife.

In a victim statement, the woman said the attack majorly impacted her mental health and left her a "shell of my former self". She said Fletcher had "completely betrayed my trust".

The court heard Fletcher had 11 previous convictions for 23 offences, including a three year prison sentence for "sexual matters". He was cautioned this year for "banging a woman's head against a brick wall multiple times". He was also previously given a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving after he "rammed" into a vehicle after chasing a woman.

Vic Laffey, defending, said Fletcher - who has a "stress related illness" - had pleaded guilty and "accepts he betrayed [the victim's] trust". He said: "It was an odd relationship. He'd met her in a professional sense. There was a significant gap in contact, and then there was a relationship of a platonic nature.

"He saw her on a regular basis and maintains he sought to help her. He accepts he cared for this woman [but] caused her serious harm. He is determined not to place himself in this type of situation again."

Sentencing Fletcher, Judge Francis Laird KC, said he carried out the attack in broad daylight in a residential area. He said that Fletcher's attempts to help the victim were "wholly misguided" and said he posed a significant risk of serious harm.

Fletcher was given an extended prison sentence of 21 years - 17 years of which will be custodial. The remaining four years will be served on licence. The judge also commended the passer-by who intervened and disarmed Fletcher.