Cambridge pensioner who stabbed partner jailed

A man who stabbed his neighbour after a 20-year dispute has been jailed.

Philip Sheath, 70, from Hawkins Road, began throwing items over his fence into his neighbour’s garden on 14 November 2024.

When the neighbour, a man in his 60s, went to complain, Sheath opened his front door and began trying to stab him with the seven-inch carving knife.

Sheath thrust the knife so violently the victim fell backwards and hit his head on a concrete path, with his attacker shouting over and over, "I am going to kill you".

Sheath wasn’t able to fully stab the victim with the blade only going through the outer clothing causing cuts.

Sheath was jailed for three years and 10 months at Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday 30 January 2025, after pleading guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm.

He was also given a ten-year restraining order to protect the victim.

Detective Sergeant Christian Jackman:

"Although there had been issues between Sheath and the victim's family for multiple years this incident was extremely sudden and unprovoked.

"Sheath showed an extreme amount of violence, and the victim has experienced a terrifying ordeal which will stay with him throughout his life.

"He suffered wounds to his stomach and broken ribs. Thankfully, he survived the attack, but it could so easily have ended very differently."