NATHANIEL DOWNER SENTENCED IN BRISTOL FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON EX-PARTNER AND OTHERS

Nathaniel Downer, a 41-year-old man with no fixed address, has been found guilty of multiple grave offenses and received a substantial prison sentence. The case was heard at Bristol Crown Court, where Downer pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his former partner, an act that involved stabbing her four times with a knife. The court also learned that he admitted to inflicting grievous bodily harm on two other individuals who attempted to intervene during the incident.

According to court proceedings, Downer had been living with his partner in South Bristol and had developed an obsessive suspicion that she had taken a winning lottery ticket over a year prior to the attack. This suspicion fueled a series of heated arguments and physical altercations, which eventually culminated in the violent assault. On November 21, 2023, police responded to a distress call from a property in South Bristol, where they found Downer attacking the victims with a knife. The assault resulted in severe injuries, including five stab wounds to one victim and a single wound to another.

Following the attack, Downer attempted to cover his tracks by fabricating a false account, claiming that a group of men had entered the residence and attacked the victims while he was hiding in another room out of fear for his safety. However, during the trial, evidence was presented that contradicted his story, ultimately compelling him to accept responsibility for his actions.

On Tuesday, the court sentenced Downer to 18 years in prison. The sentence also includes an additional four years on license following his release, along with a restraining order designed to protect the three victims from further contact or harm. A victim personal statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound suffering endured by one of the victims. She described her life as having been turned into a living hell, constantly feeling unsafe and always looking over her shoulder due to Downer’s violence.

The court’s decision underscores the seriousness and brutality of Downer’s crimes, emphasizing the need to safeguard others from similar acts of violence in the future. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with a history of violent behavior and the importance of swift judicial action to prevent further harm.