Carlisle man stabbed partner 11 times in 'merciless attack'

Matthew Ryan chased his partner with a knife as she fled her home

A man who tried to murder his partner by repeatedly stabbing her outside her Carlisle home has been jailed.

Matthew Thomas Ryan, 39, attacked Kerry Wilson, 53, with a kitchen knife and was seen smoking a cigarette while she bled in the street.

Judge Nicolas Barker described it as a "merciless and brutal attack" and said it was "remarkable" Ms Wilson survived.

Ryan was handed a minimum 15-year prison term as part of a life sentence at Carlisle Crown Court on Friday.

Ryan had been in a year-long relationship with Ms Wilson and they lived together at her flat in Ellesmere Way.

The court heard how Ryan's behaviour became increasing erratic and aggressive amid his mental health and drug issues.

'Foul temper'

On 17 December 2022, the couple, along with Ryan's brother and dad, travelled to watch a football game.

Ryan was in a "foul temper" when they left Carlisle, drank heavily and got into a row with his brother.

He then dragged Ms Wilson into his car and drove them back home.

Northumbria Police were alerted by a concerned motorist who reported that the vehicle was being driven dangerously on the A69.

'Help me'

The court was told that when they got home, Ryan picked up a 7.5in (19cm) knife and threatened to stab her.

Ms Wilson ran from her house, chased by Ryan who "just stabbed and stabbed and stabbed" her, a watching neighbour recalled.

The court heard that she was stabbed about 11 times. One blow cut a major blood vessel to Ms Wilson's heart.

A neighbour's CCTV footage captured the attack and they saw Ms Wilson mouth: "Help me."

'No mercy'

Ryan returned to his flat before going back outside, where he smoked a cigarette in front of his bleeding partner.

The neighbour told police: "The thing I can't get out of my head was the frown on his face and the evilness.

"And he had no mercy...he didn't stop, he just kept looking at her and carrying on and she was terrified."

Ms Wilson lost a kidney, suffered serious medical complications and her mental health "seriously deteriorated", prosecutor Brendan Burke said.

'Truly chilling'

Ryan, of Bannisdale Way, Carlisle, admitted attempted murder and was ordered to serve a minimum 15-year prison term as part of a life sentence.

Ryan had used the knife, said Judge Barker, with "murderous intent" during "wicked" violence captured on "truly chilling" video footage.

"It shows a merciless and brutal attack on a defenceless woman," said the judge.

"It is remarkable that Ms Wilson was able to survive this attack."