A murderer who stabbed two men in an unprovoked attack in Coventry has been handed a life sentence. James Ritchie, 52, fatally stabbed Anthony Wilson and seriously injured another man in the Earlsdon area of the city in March 2025.
Police were called to the scene and discovered Mr Wilson, aged 50, with a horrific neck injury. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he had already died from his wounds. The second victim sustained serious injuries but survived the attack.
Ritchie fled the scene but later walked into Coventry Central Police Station and confessed. He told officers: 'I think you're looking for me... yes, it was me, I did it.' Despite these admissions, the motive for the attack remains unknown, according to West Midlands Police.
Life Sentence Handed Down
Following a retrial, Ritchie was convicted of murder and attempted murder on 9 June. He was sentenced to life in prison at Warwick Crown Court on Thursday, 11 June, with a minimum term of 28 years and four months before he can be considered for parole.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: 'A Coventry man has been jailed for murder after a fatal stabbing in the city. James Ritchie fatally stabbed Anthony Wilson in Earlsdon in March 2025. On the day of the attack, officers were called to a report of a stabbing, finding Mr Wilson, who was 50 years old, with a horrific neck injury. Sadly, he had already died from his injuries, and nothing could be done to save him. Ritchie, 52, had attacked Mr Wilson and another man without provocation, although seriously injuring the other man in the attack he fortunately survived.'
The statement continued: 'While officers were at the scene of the stabbing, Ritchie handed himself in at Coventry Central Police Station, telling staff "I think you're looking for me... yes, it was me, I did it". Despite these admissions, the full motive for the attack remains unknown. Ritchie, of no fixed address, was charged within days of the attack and, following a retrial, he was convicted of murder and attempted murder on 9 June. He was jailed to life in prison with a minimum term of 28 years and 4 months on Thursday, June 11 at Warwick Crown Court.'
