2009: FRIENZIED KNIFE ATTACKER JAILED FOR AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS
A man from Oldbury has been sentenced to at least eight and a half years in prison after being convicted of a brutal attack on his former partner, during which he stabbed her 11 times with a carving knife.Darren Ward, aged 37, also tied up her two children and covered their heads with pillowcases as he threatened them with a ten-inch blade.
Judge John Warner commented that although the relationship had ended, Ward was unable to accept this and struggled to let go, which contributed to his violent actions.
The judge expressed concern over the impact on the children, aged 11 and 12, and emphasized that Mrs Fenton could have been killed during the savage assault.
Despite police presence, Ward continued his attack on Mrs Fenton, illustrating his determination.
He received an indeterminate prison sentence with a mandated minimum of eight and a half years, meaning he will remain behind bars until authorities deem him safe to re-enter society.
The judge highlighted the substantial risk Ward poses to future partners and stressed the importance of public protection.
Ward, of Tame Road, admitted to charges including attempted murder of Mrs Fenton, false imprisonment, and other related offenses, standing motionless as he was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Prosecutor Julian Elcock stated that Ward’s volatile six-year relationship with Mrs Fenton was often marred by excessive alcohol consumption.
After being asked to leave her home on Nimmings Road in Halesowen, she began a new relationship that ended when Ward threatened her with text messages.
Police installed an alarm system, but Ward later entered her residence armed with a pool cue and a kitchen knife, threatening to kill her new boyfriend and stabbing her if the children screamed.
Ward tied the children up in a bedroom, telling them he would also harm them.
Mrs Fenton returned home to find Ward present, activated the alarm, and her boyfriend called the police.
Ward dragged her around the house, causing her to sustain a knife wound to her hand, while the children managed to escape through a window and onto a roof.
Police officers arrived on scene where Ward attacked Mrs Fenton again with a knife, but she was rescued after officers used CS gas to subdue him and after her daughter bravely re-entered the house to open the front door.
Ward was eventually restrained with batons after lunging at police officers and raising the weapon.
Mrs Fenton suffered 11 stab wounds, including two severe injuries to her spleen and lung, resulting in permanent scars.
The court concluded that Ward's actions posed a serious risk of future harm, leading to his extended detention order.
