A Carmarthen man who spent a day hunting his former partner with a kitchen knife in his rucksack has been jailed for 24 years for trying to kill her.
James McKenna, 58, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Friday.
He was given a further 12 months, to run at the same time, for carrying a bladed article in public. Police said he was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order.
A jury convicted him of attempted murder in July after a week-long trial. McKenna had admitted wounding her with intent, but denied he meant to kill her.
How McKenna spent 29 January hunting his ex-partner in Carmarthen
The trial heard McKenna packed the 30cm knife before leaving home that morning, then went looking for her in Carmarthen Park.
Over the next few hours he went to the museum at Abergwili and a coffee bar near the shop where she volunteered. Then he worked his own first shift at a charity shop in town.
He walked back into the park just after 3pm. Shortly after 4pm, he attacked her in bushes near the Picton Terrace entrance.
Police said she suffered multiple stab wounds and cuts to her chest, arm and hand. The court heard she had defensive wounds to her hands, and paramedics found her sitting on steps, covered in blood.
Carmarthen Park manhunt ended at an Aberystwyth hospital
McKenna ran from the scene, sparking a large-scale manhunt across Carmarthen.
Two days later, officers found a rucksack holding a blood-stained knife in nearby allotments.
Police traced his movements into Ceredigion, and he was arrested in Aberystwyth on 2 February. The trial heard he had spent three days in woodland with no food or water, and went to hospital there with frostbite in his feet.
He was charged and remanded in custody on 4 February.
Detective says McKenna is facing justice for “horrific act of violence”
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Sian Davies, of Dyfed-Powys Police, welcomed the sentence. She thanked everyone involved in the court process “which ultimately brought James McKenna to face justice for his horrific act of violence”.
She said: “I’d like to thank the local community in Carmarthen for their support during our initial response to this shocking incident.”
DCI Davies said she hoped the sentence would send a message: “I hope this serves as a reminder that we will take robust action against anyone seeking to do harm in our communities.”
She said her final thoughts remained with the victim. “I hope she feels able to move forward in her recovery from this traumatic incident.”
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or stalking, the Live Fear Free helpline is open 24 hours a day on 0808 80 10 800.
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