Men slashed woman with knife in 'targeted attack'

Jay Stokes and Martin Coombs have been jailed for a total of 20 years

Two men who slashed a woman across the hands with a knife in an “awful, targeted attack” have been jailed.

Jay Stokes, 32, of Hallam Moor, Swindon and Martin Coombs, 25, of Sommerville Road, Walcot, left a woman in her 30s with serious injuries on November 29 last year.

The pair broke into a flat in Park North, before attacking the woman, searching the flat and making off with cash.

They were sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Wednesday, after being found guilty of aggravated burglary. Stokes was given an 11-year sentence for the burglary and Coombs was jailed for nine years.

Stokes was also given a further 18 months sentence for an unrelated drug offence, making a total sentence of 12 years and eight months.

“This was an awful, targeted attack on a vulnerable woman which left her with serious injuries," said Detective Inspector Sarah Champion, of the Wiltshire Police Burglary Team.

Police said during the trial, the jury was shown "key" CCTV footage from a lift, where the men discussed the attack before and after it happened.

“Despite this evidence, they still pleaded not guilty to the offence and forced the victim to relive the incident through a trial," Det Insp Champion said.

“Both defendants show a complete lack of remorse for their actions and I’m pleased that they have been sentenced today."

A jury was shown footage of the pair talking about the attack in a lift

“Burglaries remain a force priority as they are such an invasive crime, targeting someone in their own home where they should feel most safe and secure," Det Insp Champion added.

“It is totally unacceptable and we will continue to target offenders like Coombs and Stokes and ensure they are put before the courts.”