Man jailed for attack on ex-partner and man

A man has been jailed for 30 years for the attempted murder of two people, including his ex-partner.

Anthony Lovatt, 68, from Cheadle, Staffordshire, attacked the man and woman after following them to a house on 8 November.

He stabbed the man in the neck, chest and abdomen before stabbing the woman, his ex-partner, in the chest and holding the knife to her throat, police said.

Lovatt was convicted of one count of attempted murder following a trial at Stafford Crown Court and sentenced on Friday.

He had previously also admitted two counts of wounding with intent and two counts of possessing a knife in a public place.

"This was a particularly violent attack that will no doubt have a lasting emotional effect on both victims," PC Eve Loach said.

Lovatt had followed the couple from a pub back to the address in Cheadle while holding a knife in each hand, a police spokesperson said.

When the man answered the door, Lovatt stabbed him several times before attacking the woman.

He later told officers he then hid the knives in an alleyway between Harbourne Crescent and Windy Arbour, where officers later found them.

The man he attacked had to undergo surgery after the stabbing, the spokesperson added.

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