A man has been jailed for 13 years following a serious assault in Poole town centre.
Gary Patrick Sadler, aged 57 and of Victoria Road in Poole, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Monday 15 June 2020. Following a trial at the same court, he was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife in a public place.
At around 10.40am on Sunday 11 August 2019 a woman was in the Dolphin Shopping Centre when Sadler, who was known to the victim, approached her and asked her how she was.
Sadler proceeded to pull a knife out of his trouser pocket and launch at the victim. He moved the knife towards her neck, before she hit the blade with her hand causing it to break off the knife handle.
Despite the knife breaking, Sadler continued to try and stab the victim. He then grabbed her by her hair and pulled her to the floor.
The victim was punched in the face while lying on the floor on her back, with Sadler kneeling on her legs so she couldn’t move.
A woman who was nearby, and heard the victim shout for help, asked the man to leave the victim alone and go away. Sadler consequently got up and walked away.
Following enquiries by officers, Sadler was located a short time later in Baiter Gardens and arrested. The knife was located at the scene of the assault.
The victim sustained cuts to her face, neck and back, as well as a cut to her finger after trying to get Sadler to stop attacking her. She was taken to hospital to receive treatment.
Detective Constable Ben Swain, of Bournemouth CID, said: “Gary Sadler was responsible for a vicious and frenzied attack.
“I would like to praise the victim for her bravery as this must have been a very frightening incident and it has had a significant physical and psychological impact on her life.
“I am also keen to thank the members of the public who intervened for their outstanding actions that stopped the victim from being further assaulted.
“I am pleased that we were able to locate Sandler and arrest him so we could bring him before the court to face justice for this serious offence.”
