Linda Clifford, a 61-year-old grandmother from Great Barr, Birmingham, has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after stabbing her son-in-law in the neck during a revenge attack. The incident occurred on December 28 last year, just weeks after Richard Evans ended his relationship with Clifford's daughter.
Attack details
At around 9pm, Clifford drove to an address less than a mile from her home on Elmbridge Road. Mr Evans, who was staying with a friend, stepped onto the doorstep to avoid a confrontation inside the house. Clifford approached him, pulled a three-to-four inch bladed knife from her coat pocket, and lunged at his neck in a sweeping, stabbing motion.
Prosecutor Sarah Allen told Birmingham Crown Court: "The knife was plunged very quickly into his neck causing a wound. The complainant described there being a large amount of blood." Mr Evans cried out: "Are you trying to kill me?" but Clifford continued moving towards him. He initially recalled her replying "that's what I have come to do," though later could not remember exactly what she said.
Further violence
Undeterred by the blood pouring from his wound, Clifford then produced a claw hammer from her coat and smashed the windscreen of Mr Evans' van, causing £150 worth of damage. She only left the scene when the friend returned. Police arrested Clifford shortly afterwards in her car; she claimed she was already on her way to the police station.
In interview she answered no comment, but as she was being taken to her cell she made comments about going to the address to 'punish' Mr Evans because he supposedly owed her money.
Injuries and impact
Mr Evans suffered a 1.5cm puncture wound to his neck, which required cleaning and suturing. He told police he had previously had a good relationship with Clifford, who was 'like a mother' to him. The court heard Clifford had never committed a crime before.
Defence barrister Darron Whitehead read a letter from Clifford in which she said: "I will never forgive myself for the harm I have caused to Richard, the shame I have brought to my family and the upset I have caused to everyone. Richard was like a son to me for over 16 years, he thought of me like a mother. I'm utterly ashamed of myself and so remorseful."
Sentencing
Clifford was originally charged with attempted murder, but the prosecution accepted her guilty plea to the lesser offence of wounding with intent, as well as admissions to criminal damage and having a knife in public. Sentencing her on July 1, Judge Andrew Smith KC highlighted the comment about 'punishment' Clifford made to police officers. He said: "This was a piece of good evidence that this was an attack based on revenge and I'm satisfied this was an attack carried out in anger. Mr Evans was fortunate to not sustain a more serious injury."
Mr Whitehead said Clifford had sought revenge over Mr Evans withdrawing £1,600 from her daughter's account to pay for a vehicle repair, but the money was 'used for other purposes'. He argued her 'real intent' was to damage his van, but acknowledged that 'shifted' towards Mr Evans when he appeared on the doorstep. He added: "She didn't think she was capable of behaving in such a way. A lady of this maturity has taken everybody by surprise."
