FATHER JAILED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER HEROIC DAUGHTER DISARMS HIM DURING KNIFE ATTACK

A jury and police have commended the bravery of an 11-year-old girl who intervened during a violent attack by her father to prevent her mother from being stabbed to death.Rebecca Mayhew, the girl, disarmed her father John after he had plunged a hunting knife into the chest and stomach of his ex-wife Ailsa. She then attempted to retrieve another knife from a kitchen unit, but Rebecca quickly slammed his hand in a drawer, which allowed her and her mother to escape the scene.The incident occurred after Mrs. Mayhew dropped her daughter off at her ex-husband's home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, last November. Mrs. Mayhew, aged 45, was on her way out for her birthday when the attack happened. Mayhew, aged 49, who had bought the knife from a sports shop earlier that day and hidden it near the microwave, asked their daughter to go upstairs while he prepared for the confrontation. Without warning, he told his ex-wife, "I got this for our Paul but I think I'll give it to you," before lunging at her with the knife, stabbing her once, and then stabbing her again during the ensuing struggle.Mayhew was on top of his victim, trying to kill her, when Rebecca's screams prompted her to run downstairs. In a act of remarkable bravery, Rebecca ran into the kitchen and managed to put her hands over her father's nose and mouth to restrict his breathing while pulling him away from her mother. Despite Mayhew pulling her hair and attempting to attack again, Rebecca's efforts caused him to drop the knife, which she immediately threw from the house. He then tried to retrieve another knife from a drawer, but Rebecca intervened once more. Her actions are credited with saving her mother's life, a sentiment echoed by the judge and Durham police.Mrs. Mayhew and Rebecca fled to a neighbor's house, where they received emergency medical treatment at the hospital. When Mayhew was arrested nearby, he expressed remorse, telling police, "I should not have done what I did. I just lost the plot. When someone sleeps with your bird, it hurts. I didn't want to kill her. I just wanted to stop her going out tonight."The court sentenced Mayhew to 12 years for attempted murder. The judge, Judge Peter Fox QC, stated that but for Rebecca's courageous intervention, Mayhew would likely have been convicted of murder. The judge praised Rebecca's bravery, saying, "You have your daughter to thank. Your determination was manifest." A mitigation lawyer noted that Mayhew had written letters showing a remorseful side, describing himself as once kind-hearted but suffering mental health issues after unemployment and alcohol problems. Detective Constable Louise Guy remarked on the horrendous nature of the attack but acknowledged that Rebecca's quick actions prevented a tragedy, expressing hope she would be recognized with an award. Mayhew now lives with the guilt of his actions, which will remain with him for life.