Man attempted to kill partner on woodland walk

A man who attacked his partner with a knife while they were on a walk in woodland has been jailed for 15 years for attempted murder.

Robert Reardon, 32, pleaded guilty in October to carrying out the attack in Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire in May.

Police said that just prior to the attack, Reardon, of High Street in Lowestoft, Suffolk, attempted to send a phone message purportedly from his victim claiming the victim was having suicidal thoughts.

Det Con Connor Townsend, from Thames Valley Police, said there was "no excuse for this violent and despicable attack, and it is remarkable that his victim survived this sustained assault".

Police said Reardon stabbed his partner, a man in his 20s who police are not naming, in the back and throat as they walked through the woodland, near Slough, on Friday, 23 May.

Detectives said he had asked to use his partner's mobile phone which he then used in an attempt to send a message to the victim's mother "suggesting the victim had suicidal thoughts".

However, the message failed to send, and the victim saw it just moments before Reardon launched his attack with a steak knife.

He continued to stab him, despite pleas for him to stop.

The victim was stabbed, struck with a candle and strangled, but managed to disarm Reardon twice and escape, police said.

The attack ended when the victim ran to a road and found a dog walker, who called emergency services.

At this point Reardon fled.

The victim had multiple and extensive serious injuries in the attack, but survived thanks to the expertise of medical professionals, police said.

Det Con Townsend said Reardon showed "a degree of pre-meditation" with the message he tried to send to the victim's mother "in order to cover up what he intended to do".

"Reardon is a very dangerous individual and he will now be facing a very substantial prison sentence as a result of this sustained attack," he added.

During sentencing at Aylesbury Crown Court, Reardon was told he must also spend five years on licence after his release from jail.

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