Double-stab man guilty of attempted murder

A man has been found guilty of attempted murder after he stabbed two people, including his ex-partner.

Anthony Lovatt, from Cheadle, Staffordshire, attacked the man and woman after following them to a house on 8 November.

The 68-year-old stabbed the man in the neck, chest and abdomen before knifing the woman, his ex-partner, in the chest and holding the knife to her throat.

Following a trial at Stafford Crown Court, Lovatt was convicted of one count of attempted murder. He had previously admitted two counts of wounding with intent and two counts of possessing a knife in a public place.

Staffordshire Police said Lovatt followed the couple from a pub back to the address in Cheadle while holding a knife in each hand.

When the male victim answered the door, he stabbed him in the neck, chest and abdomen, before stabbing the woman in the chest and holding a knife to her throat, the force said.

Lovatt later told officers he had then hidden the knives in an alleyway between Harbourne Crescent and Windy Arbour, where officers later found them.

The male victim was left needing to undergo surgery, police added.

PC Eve Loach said: "This was a particularly violent attack that will no doubt have a lasting emotional effect on both victims."

Lovatt has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing at Stafford Crown Court on 8 July.

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