Man jailed for 15 years after horrific attack

A middle-aged bachelor driven 'by a cocktail of obsession and jealousy' who tried to murder a work colleague after she rebuffed his advances has been jailed for 15 years.
Brian DeakinBrian Deakin
Brian Deakin

Brian Deakin turned up uninvited at Deborah Evans’ home in Leigh armed with a large kitchen knife on the pretext of getting back some DVDs he had loaned her and he seemed fine.

But when Miss Evans came back to the front door with them he suddenly launched a horrifying attack with the deadly weapon and she had to fight desperately for her life, a court heard.

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She suffered numerous stab and slash wounds to her head, shoulder, hands and arms and after he then battered and tried to strangle her she also suffered bruising to her brain, had almost every rib broken and fractures to her cheek bone, jaw, eye socket and collar bone.

Th victim, 42, had to undergo surgery after the early evening attack on December 14 last year, is still on a liquid diet and has since lost her job at Patak’s food processing factory at Leigh, where they both worked, through resultant depression.

Deakin, 46, of Willow Street, Atherton, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to attempting to murder her on December 14 last year.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, imposed an extended sentence on Deakin today (Friday) involving 15 years in prison with an extended licence of five years, meaning he will serve at least ten years in jail.

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He told him: “You launched a vicious, violent and frenzied attack with that knife. Had the blade not been broken from the handle in the course of that attack I have no doubt that it would have been continued.”

He said Deakin then repeatedly punched her in the face, banged her head against the wall and put his foot on her neck until she passed out. It only ended because he believed she was dead.

The judge said that the victim, described by Deakin as “a kind lady”, has been left scarred in “every way”.

“You abused your friendship and tried to kill her because she rebuffed your interest. You have ruined you life quite simply because she did not want you and you were led to behave as you did by a cocktail of obsession and jealousy.”

Deakin, who has no previous convictions, showed no emotion during the hearing. The judge imposed a restraining order to keep away from his victim for life.

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