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Brutal Assault in Bath Lane
On 26 February 2024, Matthew Jones, then 29 and residing on Ivy Avenue in Southdown, Bath, met with Emma Kirk, 25, in a secluded lane off Dransfield Way. The meeting was ostensibly arranged for her to return gifts he had given her.
During the meeting, Jones launched a violent and sustained knife attack, stabbing Kirk around 15 times—targeting her neck, head, abdomen, hands, and other areas. The assault caused life-threatening injuries, including two punctured lungs and severe nerve damage. Surgeons later described her survival as “a miracle”.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, noting that it took five bystanders—including an off-duty police officer—to wrestle Jones off Kirk and subdue him as he continued to attack despite being restrained.
Legal Proceedings: Charges, Trial, and Verdict
Jones was initially charged with attempted murder and possession of a knife during the incident . In September 2024, the jury at Bristol Crown Court was unable to reach a verdict on those charges, leading to a retrial being scheduled for March 2025.
At the retrial, Jones was cleared of both attempted murder and possession charges. However, he had already admitted to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, accepting he deliberately stabbed Kirk to inflict serious harm—not out of self-defence.
Sentencing: Consequences of the Attack
On 9 May 2025, at Bristol Crown Court, Jones was sentenced to:
• 12 years in prison, plus
• 4 years on extended licence,
• With a requirement to serve at least two‑thirds of the sentence before parole could be considered.
Judge Julian Lambert described the attack as “mercilessly ferocious,” “rarely seen” in his experience, labeling Jones as “dangerous” and affirming that his actions warranted an extended determinate sentence.
Jones himself, upon arrest, had reportedly told officers, “Don’t show me any respect. I’m a monster. I don’t deserve it”.
Impact on the Victim and Family
Emma Kirk remained hospitalized in critical condition following the attack, undergoing emergency surgery and spending around a week in a medically-induced coma. She was unable to give her account of the incident until approximately ten days later.,
In her victim impact statement, Kirk detailed:
• The physical aftermath: permanent nerve damage in her hands and neck, expected loss of feeling in fingers, and ongoing treatments.
• The psychological toll: loss of independence, PTSD symptoms, depression, inability to work for a year, and relocation to live with family for safety and support.
Her father also provided an emotional statement describing how Kirk required round-the-clock care and family members no longer felt safe even in their own home. He expressed endless gratitude to the bystanders who saved her life.
Background: Relationship Turned Obsessive
Kirk and Jones first met during their teacher training at university in 2022. Over 18 months, they developed a close friendship and had been intimate on one or two occasions. When Kirk made it clear that she wanted only a friendship and ended the intimacy, Jones reacted poorly—reportedly sending persistent messages, showing up at her workplace, and growing fixated on her.
On the day of the attack, Jones insisted on meeting her in a quiet location to collect gifts—setting the stage for the violent confrontation that followed.
Summary
• Assailant: Matthew Jones, 29, of Bath
• Victim: Emma Kirk, 25, fellow teacher
• Date of Attack: 26 February 2024
• Charges: Guilty plea to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, acquitted of attempted murder
• Sentence: 12 years custody + 4 years extended licence; parole eligibility after two-thirds served
• Injuries: Over 15 stab wounds, nerve damage, punctured lungs; psychological trauma
• Legal Commentary: Attack characterized as “extreme,” “brutal and frenzied,” defendant deemed “dangerous”
Attached is a news article regarding Matthew jones who was jailed for attempted murder
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgpxlm972jo.amp
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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