Dad jailed after stabbing ex-partner's ex-partner

A dad who repeatedly stabbed his former partner's ex-boyfriend with a kitchen knife during a daylight attack has been jailed.

Suffolk Police was called to Leveret Gardens in Stowmarket at about 11:00 GMT on 2 February following reports a man in his 20s had been seriously injured.

Simon Jones, of Freehold Road in Needham Market, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife.

At Ipswich Crown Court, the 26-year-old was jailed for three years and three months, minus the four months he has spent remanded in custody.

The court heard the victim had been walking home from work when he stopped at the address of his ex-girlfriend, who was the mother of Jones's child.

Jones was then driven to the scene by his own mother, Nicola Jones, 60, who parked in a cul-de-sac before her son got out of the car and ran towards his victim.

He was wearing a balaclava, which showed a "a certain degree of planning", and was "waving around" a large kitchen knife measuring 8-10in in length.

After trying to kick the knife out of Jones's hand and wrapping his arms around him, Jones stabbed him three times before fleeing.

The victim, who did not realise he had been stabbed "until he saw the blood", was taken to hospital with a collapsed lung and wounds to his chest, left side of his lower back, and elbow.

He spent five days in hospital with a chest drain before being discharged.

The court heard how the attack had left him in "pain every time he moved... wary about going to certain places in Ipswich, and concerned for his family's safety".

He was also said to be worried about being "targeted when the defendant is released" and "has anxiety about leaving the house".

Within two hours of the attack Jones, who had a cut to his hand, was arrested at an address on Grimwade Street in Ipswich town centre.

The defendant's mother was also arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

She denied the charge and it was eventually dropped by prosecutors.

Sentencing Jones, who wore a tracksuit in the dock, Judge Nicola Williams said he "could have killed" the victim.

"You could have been facing a murder charge all because of your jealously and animosity," she said.

"You punctured his lung as a result of what you did and it could have been so bad that he could have died from internal bleeding. It's a tragic situation, it really is."

A seven-year restraining order was also imposed on Jones telling him not to contact his victim.

When asked if he had anything to say for himself, Jones mumbled under this breath: "Just apologies really."

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