Stoke man captured by armed police in Queensferry after trying to murder his wife sentenced to 16 years

A man from Stoke on Trent who was caught by armed police in Queensferry has been jailed for 16 years for attempted murder after he was found guilty of repeatedly stabbing his estranged wife.

Paul Smith was sentenced yesterday, 23 August after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing. He will serve a further four years on licence.

Judge Chambers, sentencing at Stafford Crown Court, said: “He armed himself with a kitchen knife intending to kill. It was a brutal and sustained attack leaving physical and emotional symptoms.”

The court heard that 48-year-old Smith, of Heathcote Road, Longton, was waiting for his estranged wife as she returned from the bank in Longton early in the afternoon of the 30th January this year. He got into her silver Mini and argued with her about money.

In nearby Foley Road, Smith produced a knife from his coat and thrust it towards her. She tried to stop the knife with her hands and arms as he threatened to kill her.

As a result, she received multiple stab wounds about her body. She sounded the horn, shouting for help as she managed to get out of the vehicle, followed by Smith, but when shouted at by passers-by, Smith got back into the car, still holding the knife. She stumbled into a garden as Smith drove away.

She was rushed to the Royal Stoke Hospital where she underwent surgery for ten wounds to her hands and arms, a wound to each side of her face, two wounds to her chest and two wounds to her stomach. She is recovering from her injuries, but is still in great pain.

An alert was put out for Smith and the silver Mini, which was spotted by officers from North Wales Police and stopped near Asda in Queensferry,

As officers attempted to talk to him in the vehicle, Smith told them he had a knife.

After around 45 minutes, he was persuaded by negotiation officers to leave the vehicle and was safely arrested.

He was also found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon and breaching a restraining order.

Detective Inspector James Brady, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This was a serious case and could easily have had tragic consequences if it wasn’t for the victim’s determination to get away from Smith and the intervention of passers-by.

“Officers and ambulance crews attending Foley Road that afternoon were concerned the injuries to the victim could prove fatal.

We’re glad Smith is behind bars following this dreadful attack.”