WILLIAM BUTLER'S BRUTAL GOSPORT RAZOR BLADE ATTACK LEADS TO SEVEN-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE

On the afternoon of 11 March 2024, a violent assault took place in Gosport that would leave a woman in her 40s with a serious injury and a man facing significant legal consequences. The victim was sitting in a vehicle parked off Prince of Wales Road, preparing to leave the parking area when the incident unfolded. As she was about to exit her car, William Butler, aged 49 and a resident of San Diego Road in Gosport, approached her from a nearby parking space just two spots away.

What began as a brief exchange of words quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. Witnesses reported that Butler started swinging his arms aggressively at the woman, who responded by attempting to escape the confrontation by climbing onto the back seat of her vehicle. During this chaotic encounter, the woman suddenly realized she was bleeding from a cut on her throat, which was caused by a razor blade that Butler had brought with him.

Realizing the severity of her injury, the woman’s driver immediately drove her away from the scene and directly to Gosport police station for urgent medical attention. The police responded swiftly to the incident, arriving at the location shortly after the assault. During their investigation, officers found a razor blade lying on the ground next to Butler’s vehicle, confirming the weapon used in the attack.

Further inquiries revealed that Butler had been waiting in his car for more than five minutes before the victim arrived, indicating that the assault was premeditated. It was established that Butler had planned the attack in advance, which contributed to the seriousness of the charges against him. He was subsequently arrested at the scene and taken into custody.

William Butler faced multiple charges, including attempted murder, possession of a bladed article, and affray. During a hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on 28 May, Butler admitted to the charges of affray and possession of a bladed article. However, he denied the more serious charge of attempted murder, leading to a trial to determine his guilt on that count. The court proceedings revealed that while Butler was not guilty of attempted murder, he was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

On Monday, 17 February 2025, Butler appeared before the same court for sentencing. The judge sentenced him to seven years in prison and imposed an indefinite restraining order to prevent any contact with the victim. The case highlighted the dangers of domestic violence and the devastating impact such assaults can have on victims. Police Staff Investigator Nikki Ginn commented on the case, emphasizing the importance of swift police action and the bravery of the victim in recounting her traumatic experience. Ginn stated, “This was a shocking assault involving a weapon, which was understandably very distressing for the victim. Butler was quickly located and arrested by police, and the courage shown by the victim in recounting the terrifying events of that day has resulted in him being convicted and now jailed for this crime. Domestic abuse and violence has a devastating and long-lasting impact on those affected, and we will make every effort to target perpetrators and protect victims and the wider public from offences of this nature.”