Middleton man gets life sentence for attempted murder

Michael Downey

A Middleton man who repeatedly stabbed his girlfriend and another man in a vicious double assault on New Years Eve in 2008, has been jailed.

The man, Anthony Harris, died two weeks after the attack, although no definite link between the injuries he sustained and his death could be established.

Michael Downey, 43 , of The Heath, Middleton, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and a section 18 wounding at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for life at Bolton crown court today (Monday 28 June 2010)

He received a life sentence for both the attempted murder and the section 18 assault -causing grievous bodily harm with intent - serving a minimum of eight years for each, to run concurrently.

Downey's girlfriend of five months and Anthony, 60, had agreed to see the New Year in together and were spending 31 December 2008 at a house on Downham Road, Heywood.

During the evening, Downey made a number of agitated calls to his partner, 37, and at some point he turned up at the house and angrily confronted her.

He ran into the kitchen and returned with a six-inch kitchen knife, stabbing his partner four times in the abdomen and once in the neck, and punching her repeatedly in the face.

Downey also stabbed Anthony seven times in the throat during the attack.

At 2.45am, Downey called the ambulance service and said he was responsible for a double stabbing. Police attended and found the victims in the living room, covered in blood. Downey was found with the kitchen knife at his feet.

Downey was arrested and remanded in custody.

His girlfriend was treated at Fairfield General Hospital for four stab wounds to her abdomen and one in her neck, a broken nose and a fractured cheekbone.

Anthony had seven deep stab wounds to his neck and multiple fractures to his face.

He underwent surgery and was later released. However, on 17 January 2009 police were called to his home after his daughter found him collapsed. He was pronounced dead the scene.

On 3 January 2009, a custody officer went to Downey's cell to take him to court, and was spat on and punched, suffering bruising to his face and body.

Detective Sergeant Andy Butterworth, from Rochdale CID, said: "Downey is a dangerous man with a history of previous violent assaults.

“He violently attacked his two victims and I hope this sentence goes some way into helping the family move on from this incident.”

Anthony’s three children said: "Our dad was loved so much, especially by his friends and family. We will really miss a family, intelligent and loving man.

He would have done anything for anyone and we would have done anything for him. He was the best dad we could ever wish for.”