Man jailed for meat cleaver attack

Lee Sargent admitted attempted murder and assaulting an emergency worker

A man who tried to kill a woman with a meat cleaver has been jailed for attempted murder.

Lee Sargent, 47, from Telford in Shropshire, was given a sentence of 18 years and 10 months at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting the offence.

His victim was found with 32 injuries to her face and hands and West Mercia Police said she spent 11 days in hospital after the attack.

Det Con Becky Jasper, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: "This is one of the worst cases of domestic violence that I have ever dealt with."

The force said officers were called to Culmington in the Stirchley area of the town on 1 August 2023 and were let into the house by Sargent, who "remained calm" as he led them upstairs to the main bedroom.

When officers entered the room they found the woman slumped on the bed upstairs with life threatening injuries.

Sargent was arrested and later taken to hospital, where he assaulted a police officer by spitting at them, the force said.

He pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assaulting an emergency worker at a hearing in December.

Det Con Jasper said it had been "a sustained attack, which resulted in life changing injuries for the victim".