Former stockbroker William Richardson jailed after shopping centre axe attack on wife

A former Tasmanian stockbroker has been sentenced to seven years' jail for attacking his wife with an axe in a busy Hobart shopping centre.

A jury last month found William Henry Richardson guilty of grievous bodily harm, but not attempted murder.

On March 6 last year, Richardson attacked his wife with an axe in front of their two children at Shoreline Plaza in Howrah.

The court heard Richardson's wife had taken out a family violence order against him and he was not allowed to speak to her or their children.

On the day of the attack, Richardson had encountered them at the plaza by chance and spoke to them from a distance.

He then took his shopping out to his car before going back inside to buy an axe.

He then used the axe while it was still in a bag to attack his wife in front of their two children.

His wife suffered five blows to her head and body.

Justice Stephen Estcourt said the court had heard evidence Richardson's wife would require "ongoing psychological treatment" and she and their children all feared "for their future and safety".

He said Richardson's offending was at the upper end of the sentencing scale for a charge of grievous bodily harm.

Justice Estcourt said it was an act "aggressively committed" in front of the victim and the defendant's two children and the "extent of ongoing remorse was not evident".

Richardson must serve a minimum of four and a half years before he is eligible for parole.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-03/william-richardson-jailed-after-axe-attack-on-wife/8493548


minimum 4.4 yrs? the courts are a joke.

Care should be taken on this stuff because we are never given all the facts.

The head sentence was seven years and he cannot apply for parole until after 4.5 years.

This is one of Herbert's favourite deceptions.....ignore the head sentence and concentrate on the non-parole period.

There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all.

ok I will say it.. 7 years is an appalling bad joke

as per usual they got it wrong....this was deliberate...he actually bought the axe  and used it in the bag it came in.. he attacked her head at least 5 times...

in front of their children.. >:(

and they will all live with this for the rest of their lives...

its high time sentencing took into account what future the victims have..... in thise case two children seeing their own father trying to murder their mother in such a rage he didnt care who was watching...

its an abomination in fact its another CRIME>

Sell all his assets and give it to the victim as restorative justice for the tens of thousands of $$$ she and the kids will need in therapy

And sack the judge

Stig wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 4:26pm:

Sell all his assets and give it to the victim as restorative justice for the tens of thousands of $$$ she and the kids will need in therapy And sack the judge

well not a bad idea...lets hope she already has her hand on his bloody assets..

Aussie wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 3:50pm:

There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all.

no guarantee, but highly likely

even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum.

John Smith wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 4:38pm:

Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum.

So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge
to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children?

Gnads wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:38pm:

John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children?

insanity, stupidity, superiority complex, misogynist

any or all of the above ... probably a few more I missed too.

there is no excuse to taking an axe to someone, that applies doubly so if your kids are there.

Gnads wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:38pm:

John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children?

She was stopping him from seeing his kids.

That drives a lot of guys over the edge.

That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar.

Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation.

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:43pm:

Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:38pm: John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children? She was stopping him from seeing his kids. That drives a lot of guys over the edge. That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar. Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation.

Obviously, I understand that....but hasn't he just proven beyond doubt that he is not the sort of bloke kids ought have any contact with?

Aussie wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:45pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:43pm: Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:38pm: John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children? She was stopping him from seeing his kids. That drives a lot of guys over the edge. That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar. Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation. Obviously, I understand that....but hasn't he just proven beyond doubt that he is not the sort of bloke kids ought have any contact with?

Yes.

However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge.

It's a not a nice thing to go through.

Quote:

Yes. However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge. It's a not a nice thing to go through.

I agree, but to attack a woman with an axe in front of the kids????????

What sort of grub, let alone Husband/Father does that?

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:43pm:

Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:38pm: John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children? She was stopping him from seeing his kids. That drives a lot of guys over the edge. That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar. Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation.

Yeah well run that by Smithy.

Aussie wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:58pm:

Quote: Yes. However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge. It's a not a nice thing to go through. I agree, but to attack a woman with an axe in front of the kids???????? What sort of grub, let alone Husband/Father does that?

One who's been pushed over the edge.

Again, I make no excuses for this guy.

However, have your children taken away from you, and see if you remain a reasonable, rational person.

Aussie wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:45pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:43pm: Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:38pm: John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children? She was stopping him from seeing his kids. That drives a lot of guys over the edge. That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar. Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation. Obviously, I understand that....but hasn't he just proven beyond doubt that he is not the sort of bloke kids ought have any contact with?

He is now .... but was he prior to this incident?

The rigors of divorce, family court & subsequent rulings
can do awful things to a persons mental state of health.

Marvelous how some here are saying his sentence is inadequate, he should rot in jail  etc etc.

And I agree that the sentence seems inadequate on first observance.

Yet those same people are perpetual apologists for others in our society who carry out similar attacks with what could be described as far less provocation ....

and they get even less or no jail time.

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:07pm:

Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:58pm: Quote: Yes. However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge. It's a not a nice thing to go through. I agree, but to attack a woman with an axe in front of the kids???????? What sort of grub, let alone Husband/Father does that? One who's been pushed over the edge. Again, I make no excuses for this guy. However, have your children taken away from you, and see if you remain a reasonable, rational person.

Well ferk me hooray

something I can agree with Peccar on.

Gnads wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:02pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:43pm: Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:38pm: John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children? She was stopping him from seeing his kids. That drives a lot of guys over the edge. That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar. Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation. Yeah well run that by Smithy.

I already covered that


John Smith wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:41pm:

insanity, stupidity, superiority complex, misogynist

Gnads wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:09pm:

Marvelous how some here are saying his sentence is inadequate, he should rot in jail  etc etc. And I agree that the sentence seems inadequate on first observance. Yet those same people are perpetual apologists for others in our society who carry out similar attacks with what could be described as far less provocation ....

I bet you just made that up hoping no one would call you on it ... you lucked out, evidence please?

Gnads wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:10pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 6:07pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:58pm: Quote: Yes. However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge. It's a not a nice thing to go through. I agree, but to attack a woman with an axe in front of the kids???????? What sort of grub, let alone Husband/Father does that? One who's been pushed over the edge. Again, I make no excuses for this guy. However, have your children taken away from you, and see if you remain a reasonable, rational person. Well ferk me hooray something I can agree with Peccar on.

Take children away from a mother, and society goes apeshit.

Take them away from a father, and hardly anyone gives a fvkk.

Fathers love their children every bit as much as mothers do.

John Smith wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:13pm:

Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 6:09pm: Marvelous how some here are saying his sentence is inadequate, he should rot in jail  etc etc. And I agree that the sentence seems inadequate on first observance. Yet those same people are perpetual apologists for others in our society who carry out similar attacks with what could be described as far less provocation .... I bet you just made that up hoping no one would call you on it ... you lucked out, evidence please?

So do you just make up everything you post here?

i.e your opinions?

Of course it's my opinion

people make up opinions & words every day

ask Mothra.

Gnads wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:19pm:

So do you just make up everything you post here? i.e your opinions? Of course it's my opinion people make up opinions & words every day

that wasn't an opinion, an opinion expresses how you feel or what you think about a subject. You were instead commenting on other peoples comments. The comments can be true, or not, they cannot be an opinion .... now if you had said that 'it feels to you that others are perpetual apologists', then you can rightfully claim it's an opinion.

It would also provide the readers on here, who aren't familiar with your hysterics with an true insight into what an Islamaphobe you are.

John Smith wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:25pm:

Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 6:19pm: So do you just make up everything you post here? i.e your opinions? Of course it's my opinion people make up opinions & words every day that wasn't an opinion, an opinion expresses how you feel or what you think about a subject. You were instead commenting on other peoples comments. The comments can be true, or not, they cannot be an opinion .... now if you had said that 'it feels to you that others are perpetual apologists', then you can rightfully claim it's an opinion. It would also provide the readers on here, who aren't familiar with your hysterics with an true insight into what an Islamaphobe you are.

You do yourself no favours using weasel words like Islamaphobe.

And being pedantic about my grammar & how I should express my feelings with the use of said grammar is a stretch.

calling you an Islamphobe is not 'weasel words', it's a fact. Something that I understand that might find unfamiliar as you prefer to make crap up

4.5yrs? what a joke


????

A former Tasmanian stockbroker has been sentenced to seven years' jail for attacking his wife with an axe in a busy Hobart shopping centre.


?????

Dnarever wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 8:02pm:

4.5yrs? what a joke ???? A former Tasmanian stockbroker has been sentenced to seven years' jail for attacking his wife with an axe in a busy Hobart shopping centre. ?????

covered that already with aUSSIE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QRFeV4rPZE

Aussie wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:45pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:43pm: Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:38pm: John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children? She was stopping him from seeing his kids. That drives a lot of guys over the edge. That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar. Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation. Obviously, I understand that....but hasn't he just proven beyond doubt that he is not the sort of bloke kids ought have any contact with?

Depends which end the horse is at ? Did he react this way because of the position he was in or was he like that anyway ? You know they make movies about women who travel overseas and kidnap their children.

If this were reversed anyone think that the woman would have got 7 years ?

Quote:

If this were reversed anyone think that the woman would have got 7 years ?

If all the circumstances were exactly the same except for gender......yes......she would have.

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:43pm:

Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:38pm: John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children? She was stopping him from seeing his kids. That drives a lot of guys over the edge. That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar. Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation.

Ah - the My Lai thing - I can understand but not condone.....

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:13pm:

Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 6:10pm: greggerypeccary wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 6:07pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:58pm: Quote: Yes. However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge. It's a not a nice thing to go through. I agree, but to attack a woman with an axe in front of the kids???????? What sort of grub, let alone Husband/Father does that? One who's been pushed over the edge. Again, I make no excuses for this guy. However, have your children taken away from you, and see if you remain a reasonable, rational person. Well ferk me hooray something I can agree with Peccar on. Take children away from a mother, and society goes apeshit. Take them away from a father, and hardly anyone gives a fvkk. Fathers love their children every bit as much as mothers do.

Damn, Peccary - there's hope for you yet!

John Smith wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:42pm:

calling you an Islamphobe is not 'weasel words', it's a fact. Something that I understand that might find unfamiliar as you prefer to make crap up

There's no more made up crap than the word Islamphobe

And you eagerness to use it speaks volumes

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:07pm:

Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:58pm: Quote: Yes. However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge. It's a not a nice thing to go through. I agree, but to attack a woman with an axe in front of the kids???????? What sort of grub, let alone Husband/Father does that? One who's been pushed over the edge. Again, I make no excuses for this guy. However, have your children taken away from you, and see if you remain a reasonable, rational person.

greg you do make a point......but that isnt the whole picture sadly...

WHY would they take your children away from you?..

was it something to do with HIS behavior???

greg there are sop many places you can go to to get help with behavior  problems...and or anger problems...

there is a lot of help out there.. but YOU have to want that help...

as a parent   we get lots of warning that things are not going well...and our children are suffering because of bad adults in their lives..

can you honestly believe its in the childrens interest to leave well alone and put the parents interests first???

in  this case the father..

if he was in any state to remain a father to his children. would he seriously have tried to kill their mother before their eyes???????...



greg each case is individual... I tried reading the finding sin the coroners report on Luke Batty   it was horrendous I just couldnt read it all through   these are nightmares that really should never get to this stage... :'( :'(

Gnads wrote on May 4^th, 2017 at 7:35am:

There's no more made up crap than the word Islamphobe

all words are made up fool.

cods wrote on May 4^th, 2017 at 8:09am:

WHY would they take your children away from you?..

cause women can be bitches

John Smith wrote on May 4^th, 2017 at 8:29am:

cods wrote on May 4th, 2017 at 8:09am: WHY would they take your children away from you?.. cause women can be bitches

very true... but men can be evil...so its tit for tat really

it should always be about the children...here you are determined to make excuses for these men not doing the right thing....

two wrongs do not make a right...

and in this case these kids will live with this nightmare the rest of their lives....

I cant imagine what they saw we have no idea what they have lived with for most of their lives either...

all I know is my heart breaks for them.

cods wrote on May 4^th, 2017 at 8:36am:

here you are determined to make excuses for these men not doing the right thing....

did I? where was that exactly?

John Smith wrote on May 4^th, 2017 at 8:58am:

cods wrote on May 4th, 2017 at 8:36am: here you are determined to make excuses for these men not doing the right thing.... did I? where was that exactly?

Quote:

cause women can be bitches

take them to the  family court .. dont attack them with an axe.

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 5:49pm:

Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:45pm: greggerypeccary wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:43pm: Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:38pm: John Smith wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 4:38pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 3:50pm: There is no guarantee he'll get parole at 4.5 years.....he can apply, is all. no guarantee, but highly likely even 7 yrs as head sentence is way to short. This joker deserves 10 to 15 yrs minimum. So what do you think it was that drove him over the edge to commit such a horrendous attack on his estranged wife in front of their children? She was stopping him from seeing his kids. That drives a lot of guys over the edge. That footballer, what's his name ... Ben Cousins - he's in prison now because of something similar. Not an excuse, but a plausible explanation. Obviously, I understand that....but hasn't he just proven beyond doubt that he is not the sort of bloke kids ought have any contact with? Yes. However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge. It's a not a nice thing to go through.

Have a read of the sentencing remarks....

http://www.supremecourt.tas.gov.au/cops/richardson_w_h

thanks alinta..

Ms Richardson feels that she and her children forever carry the burden of pain and hurt from surviving a truly horrific and torturous family violence history. She genuinely believed, she says, that the defendant was going to kill her when he was attacking her; and flashbacks and the attack and the family violence incidents dominate her dreams. Her son George is very fearful, terrified of the dark and worried that his father will seek him out and harm him in the future. She says that her daughter Alice does not talk about the attack but gets extremely upset by anyone asking her about it. Ms Richardson states that she and the children all fear for their future safety. Reports from the Children and Young Persons Program which is part of the Department of Health and Human Service Family Violence Counselling and Support Service confirm that both George and Alice continue to present with clinically significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder at least in their culmination from witnessing the attack on their mother and they will require ongoing therapeutic support for the foreseeable future.
The report from Doctor Slatyer confirms that Ms Richardson is suffering from a post-concussion syndrome and an overlapping post-traumatic stress disorder. She has pronounced stuttering and difficulty with speech, difficulty with processing information, sensitivity to light and sound, brain fog brought on by activities such as reading, difficulty with sustaining concentration for periods longer than five minutes, difficulties dressing and judging where her body is in space, misjudging distance and difficulties with recall.



this part alone tells me the judge got the sentencing WRONG...

this family will be so very lucky if they recover from this... yet he will carry on as if nothing has changed..

its a miserable price to pay for what he has done..

greggerypeccary wrote on May 3^rd, 2017 at 6:13pm:

Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 6:10pm: greggerypeccary wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 6:07pm: Aussie wrote on May 3rd, 2017 at 5:58pm: Quote: Yes. However, I wasn't making excuses for him - I was merely suggesting one possible trigger that could make a guy go over the edge. It's a not a nice thing to go through. I agree, but to attack a woman with an axe in front of the kids???????? What sort of grub, let alone Husband/Father does that? One who's been pushed over the edge. Again, I make no excuses for this guy. However, have your children taken away from you, and see if you remain a reasonable, rational person. Well ferk me hooray something I can agree with Peccar on. Take children away from a mother, and society goes apeshit. Take them away from a father, and hardly anyone gives a fvkk. Fathers love their children every bit as much as mothers do.

Absolutely true. I would never, having watched him for years with my children, pretend that their father doesn't love them every bit as much as i do. From pregnancy on, even.

But what do we do about people who have clearly demonstrated that they are negative influences or even a danger to children?

If we are agreed, and we are, that restriction to children can push someone over the edge, how do we protect children from parents who have been restricted but clearly that restriction is as a result of that parents behaviour and potential for behaviours?

According to Alinta's link, the man in question was angered that day by being ignored by his children. One could argue that they ignored him due to parental alienation by the mother or that they were merely responding to how they felt about him without influence from the mother. The fact that there was a history of violence suggests that it is indeed possible the children had formed their own conclusions.

The only solution i can see is a rather pitiful one and that is supervised access.

But what to suggest when, as is plausible in this case, the children don't want to see the parent in question?

in the Luke Batty case when questioned on his feeling for his dad he said he loved him to bits..and he did everything to make his dad smile...

and still his dad killed him to spite his mum....

no one answer fits all!!

we have a terrible crisis with anger today...

revenge /spite it all adds up.. and one partner doesnt even have to do very much to stir up revenge.....

there are no boundaries instilled in us today....

we have to get back to teaching respect for others from an early age...it should be taught all through life really..... even in the work place...

boundaries we all need them...


even on this forum we have boundaries....sadly if it was explained when someone crosses those boundaries   it may make a difference..

because thats why we have them...

to make a difference....some folks as we know   never seem to learn until its far too late.

I think the court case linked is clear.  4.5 years is adequate in this case.

Injuries: we were all lead to believe that the attack would left the lady with blood every where, and fingers severed by the words 'axe attack'.  This is a pre conceived notion, probably as result of watching too much hollywood movies.   the court document showed: In all there were five blows, causing bruising and minor abrasions, lacerations requiring sutures or steri-strips and a large haematoma to the left parietal region.

From the scale of the injury, it is clear, that the guy was probably stopped by others.  But likely did not have the real intent to kill the person.   Otherwise, the defense would have argued that point.  Certainly he did not deserve the 10 to 15 year sentence as suggested by other posters here.

cods wrote on May 4^th, 2017 at 9:18am:

John Smith wrote on May 4th, 2017 at 8:58am: cods wrote on May 4th, 2017 at 8:36am: here you are determined to make excuses for these men not doing the right thing.... did I? where was that exactly? Quote: cause women can be bitches take them to the  family court .. dont attack them with an axe.

that wasn't an excuse for his actions, that was a reply to YOUR question you twat

tickleandrose wrote on May 4^th, 2017 at 11:30am:

From the scale of the injury, it is clear, that the guy was probably stopped by others

more likely it was because he just didn't stop long enough to take the plastic protective sleeve off the axe head before using it as a weapon. The plastic sleeve buffered the blows.