James McKenna stands trial for attempting to murder his ex-partner Joanne Sidaway in Carmarthen Park, with chilling details emerging about the ambush.
The trial of James McKenna, accused of attempting to murder his ex-partner Joanne Sidaway, has begun at Swansea Crown Court. The incident, which took place on January 29 this year in Carmarthen Park, has shocked the community and left many questions unanswered.
McKenna has admitted to wounding Miss Sidaway with intent and possessing a bladed article in a public place but denies the attempted murder charge. The prosecution alleges that McKenna intended to kill Miss Sidaway, while the defense argues that his intent was to cause serious harm but not to kill.
The Ambush in Carmarthen Park
On the morning of January 29, McKenna packed a kitchen knife in his rucksack and walked from his home in Carmarthen to Carmarthen Park. The park is a familiar place for Miss Sidaway, who regularly walks her dog there.
CCTV footage shows both McKenna and Miss Sidaway in the park that morning, but they did not interact at that time.
McKenna later took a taxi into Carmarthen town center and was seen on CCTV at various locations before returning to the park in the afternoon. Miss Sidaway also returned to the park to walk her dog. At just after 4 pm, a neighbor of Miss Sidaway, who was in the park, heard very high-pitched screams coming from bushes near the Picton Terrace entrance. The neighbor saw a man running away from the bushes and found Miss Sidaway bleeding from wounds to her hands.
The Injuries and the Aftermath
Miss Sidaway suffered four penetrating wounds to the left side of her chest, penetrating wounds to her upper arm, and defensive type wounds to her hands. Police later recovered a blood-stained knife and a rucksack from allotments near the park. McKenna was arrested on February 2 after going to a hospital in Aberystwyth with frostbite to his feet.
In his prepared statement, McKenna accepted having the knife and being responsible for the injuries to Miss Sidaway but denied trying to kill her. The prosecution argues that McKenna intended to kill Miss Sidaway, while the defense maintains that his intent was to cause serious harm but not to kill.
Witness Testimonies
The trial has heard from several witnesses, including Miss Sidaway’s neighbor, Sue Edwards. Edwards described hearing the screams and seeing a man running away from the bushes. She found Miss Sidaway bleeding and immediately called for help. Edwards also described how Miss Sidaway was remarkably calm despite her injuries, thanking her for the help.
Edwards was shown a photo of the bushes next to the Picton Terrace entrance of the park and confirmed that the incident happened at that spot. She also described how she took police to the park and showed them the bushes where the incident happened. An officer spotted a thermal-type glove on the ground and put it into an evidence bag.
The Victim’s Account
Miss Sidaway told paramedics that she had been stabbed by her ex-partner and provided them with his name, address, a physical description, details of what he had been wearing, and a description of the knife. Edwards described Miss Sidaway as amazing for her composure despite the severe injuries. Miss Sidaway insisted on going to Glangwili Hospital rather than Morriston Hospital but was convinced by the paramedics that Morriston was the best place.
The trial continues, with the jury set to hear more evidence and testimonies in the coming days. The case has highlighted the serious issue of domestic violence and the need for better support for victims.
