Drunk man jailed for stabbing woman walking dog in Bury St Edmunds
Random knife attack shocks quiet street
Stephen Byrne, 54, from Hodson Close in Bury St Edmunds, was slapped with a 45-month jail sentence at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 1 December. The sentence follows a chilling incident on the evening of 14 June 2023.
At around 10:25pm, a woman in her 50s was walking her dog along St Olaves Road when Byrne suddenly attacked her from behind, stabbing her in the lower back. The victim, a stranger to Byrne, suffered minor injuries but was left traumatised.
Perp turns himself in after fleeing scene
After the stabbing, Byrne fled home before ringing 999 to confess the crime. The victim also called police and was rushed to West Suffolk Hospital, where her injuries were confirmed as minor.
Just 15 minutes later, officers arrested Byrne at 10:40pm and took him to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre. There, Byrne admitted to being drunk, having consumed alcohol throughout the day.
Guilty plea and police warning
Byrne pleaded guilty to carrying a knife in public and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
“This was an unprovoked and random attack which so easily could have led to a fatal conclusion,” said DI Stuart Dolan-Allen from West Suffolk CID. “The victim fortunately did not suffer serious injury, but the psychological impact should not be underestimated.”
“Knife crime devastates communities. This sentence sends a clear message: violence will not be tolerated and we will take tough action on offenders.”
