Man jailed for bow and arrow threat knife attack

A "coward" who stabbed a man and threatened to kill him with a bow and arrow has been jailed for 29 years.

Jacob Gill, 34, launched the attack at the home of the victim, who was in his 60s, in Wheelton, Chorley, last Christmas, Lancashire Police said.

The victim, who managed to film part of the attack on his phone, said he thought he would die in the "horrific" and "terrifying" assault.

Gill was found guilty of attempted murder by jurors at Preston Crown Court and jailed on Friday. He will have to serve a further five years on extended licence after being deemed to be a dangerous offender.

Gill told the man "I've come here to kill you" before stabbing him in the arm and attempting to stab him in the stomach and head multiple times, police said.

During the attack, which began at about 19:25 GMT on 23 December and spilled out on to the driveway, the victim told Gill he was bleeding to death, with the attacker replying: "That's the plan."

Gill fled when a neighbour intervened, having been alerted by the victim's cries for help.

The neighbour tried to stem the bleeding using a makeshift tourniquet before officers gave the victim lifesaving first aid.

In a statement read to the court, the victim, who suffered serious arm injuries, said: "At the time of the attack I truly thought that my life was about to end there and then.

"The emotion and fear of realising that you are about to die in such an horrific, unjustifiable, brutal and violent manner was absolutely terrifying.

"My life has been destroyed since that evening and I do not know if I will ever fully recover."

Det Con Josh Hodges said Gill was "clearly a dangerous individual" who had carried out an "incredibly violent" and "cowardly" attack.

He said that he had "little doubt that without the brave actions of the victim's neighbour and the armed response officers, the victim would have died.

He praised the victim for the courage he had shown throughout the trial.

Judge Robert Altham concluded Gill was a dangerous offender meaning he will be on extended licence after his release from prison.

Gill will have to serve two thirds of his 29 year sentence before he will be eligible to be considered for parole.

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