Man jailed for attempted murder after woodland stabbing
Robert Reardon, 31, from Lowestoft attacked his partner in May
Last updated 19th Dec 2025
A man who violently attacked his partner in woodland in Burnham Beeches has been jailed for attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Robert Reardon, aged 31, of High Street, Lowestoft, pleaded guilty to the offences on the first day of his trial at Aylesbury Crown Court on 27 October.
Today (17 December), Reardon received a total sentence of 20 years, consisting of 15 years in prison plus a further five on licence.
On 23 May this year, at around 4pm, Reardon asked the victim, a man in his twenties, to use their mobile phone.
They walked into woodland together, where the victim then saw a message Reardon had written on the victim’s phone, suggesting the victim had suicidal thoughts, which was untrue.
Reardon had intended to send this to the victim’s mother in an attempt to cover up what he was about to do, but the message did not send.
Moments after the victim saw this message, Reardon launched a ferocious attack on him, stabbing the victim repeatedly with a steak knife.
The victim pleaded with Reardon to stop, but Reardon ignored him and continued to stab him with the knife.
The victim managed to take the knife from Reardon and threw it a short distance away, before Reardon picked up a candle and hit the victim across the head.
The victim tried to run away, but Reardon caught up with him and stabbed him in the throat.
The victim again attempted to disarm Reardon and again tried to run away from him, but he was caught again and Reardon dragged the victim to the ground and started to strangle him.
The victim pleaded with Reardon to stop and begged him to call 999, but Reardon refused.
The frenzied and prolonged attack only ended when the victim managed to escape, running to the road to find a dog walker, who called 999, prompting Reardon to run away from the scene.
The victim sustained multiple and extensive serious injuries in the attack, but survived thanks to the expertise of medical professionals.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Connor Townsend, from the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “This was a truly horrific and frenzied attack by Reardon on somebody whom he knew well.
“There was absolutely no excuse for this violent and despicable attack, and it is remarkable that his victim survived this sustained assault.
“It was very clear that Reardon intended to kill his victim, and his guilty plea in court in October was the only outcome that was appropriate.
“Our case was the message that Reardon tried to send to the victim’s mother was in order to cover up what he intended to do. It showed a degree of pre-meditation.
“Reardon is a very dangerous individual and he will now be facing a very substantial prison sentence as a result of this sustained attack.
“I would like to pay tribute to his victim, who has suffered a horrific ordeal and has supported our investigation from the outset.
“I hope that now his attacker has been convicted and is facing a lengthy prison sentence, that he can find a way to put this behind him and move on with his life.
“Domestic abuse and violence will never be tolerated by Thames Valley Police.
“I would urge anyone who is going through domestic abuse of any kind to come forward and trust that Thames Valley Police will do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.
“If you are in immediate danger, call us on 999.”