Man, 71, jailed for meat cleaver attack

Chacko Abraham Thenakarayil was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday

A 71-year-old man who tried to murder his son-in-law with a meat cleaver has been jailed.

Chacko Abraham Thenakarayil, of Hornbeam Gardens, Chelmsford, hit the victim on the back of the head while he was eating dinner with his three-year-old daughter in May 2023.

He was found guilty of attempted murder and was sentenced to eight years behind bars at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday.

During the sentencing, the judge said: "This is a spontaneous attempt to kill with a degree of pre-meditation."

The sentence took place at Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex

Thenakaryil approached his son-in-law from behind, at his home on 6 May 2023.

He hit him on the head, which caused serious injuries.

The victim managed to turn around and remove the cleaver from Thenakaryil, who then grabbed a knife and attempted to stab him.

The son-in-law then ran from the house and tried to get help.

He re-entered his home with neighbours and found Thenakaryil holding a third knife.

The victim managed to disarm him before police arrived.

The son-in-law was taken to hospital after losing around 500ml of blood and sustained a fracture to his skull.

Arguments started

In 2019, the victim and his wife invited Thenakarayil to move in with them.

He had been living alone with a life-long health condition in India.

He moved to Essex and his daughter took out a loan to pay for her dad's medical treatment.

However, after a few months, arguments started to break out and Thenakarayil's relationship with his daughter and her husband deteriorated.

The judge, His Honour Justice Morgan, said: "Your daughter and son-in-law made arrangements so you could receive treatment for your condition.

"I am satisfied that your son-in-law looked after you well."

"I am left in little doubt, it quickly became apparent to you that you were not comfortable or that you wished to [not] remain away from India."

During the sentencing, the court heard that Thenakarayil, while fluent in Malayalam, only spoke a few words of English.

The judge noted he previously had a good character and said that due to the language barrier, his time in prison would be "lonely".

After he handed down the eight-year sentence, he added that a restraining order would be in place which barred Thenakarayil from contacting his daughter and son-in-law.

'Regular flashbacks'

The victim said the attack had a significant impact on his life.

"I still live in the same address where the incident took place and I regularly have flashbacks," he said.

“I dream about my father-in-law coming to my house with a knife and attacking me.

"To help me sleep better, I have put a lock on my bedroom door. I also had cameras installed as I worry that my father-in-law has escaped prison and will come attack me.”

Det Sgt Louis Moore said: "The assault will stay with the the victim for the rest of his life. Thenakaryil’s actions have had a devastating impact on his family and he is lucky to be alive.

“I hope that today’s sentence gives a small form of closure and that he can start to move forward with his life.”