Man guilty of attempted murder after stabbing ex-partner and sparking manhunt

James McKenna from Carmarthen was arrested after a four-day manhunt

A man who repeatedly stabbed his ex-partner in a park then ran away, launching a four-day manhunt, has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Joanne Sidaway, 49, screamed as she was attacked in the chest by James McKenna, 57, in the bushes of Carmarthen Park on 29 January.

She phoned for an ambulance and said: "I've been stabbed by my ex-partner... he's been stalking me".

A jury at Swansea Crown Court heard it was "luck" that she did not die, and that her winter coat helped save her.

After hiding in a woodland near Carmarthen for three days without food or water, McKenna was arrested at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, as he awaited medical treatment for suspected frostbite.

He previously pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on 2 September to be sentenced.

During the five-day trial, McKenna told the jury he had put the newest, sharpest knife from his kitchen in his bag that morning, with the intention of using it to hurt Sidaway.

He said he was "devastated" after their relationship ended after about a year, and told the court he wanted to cause Sidaway "serious harm" but not kill her.

"I felt she was reluctant to re-engage with me, and not even say hello," he said.

There was a large emergency response near the park after the attack

McKenna went to the park in the morning of 29 January, during Sidaway's first walk with the dog, but told the jury there were too many people around.

"There was no opportunity to talk to her. She didn't show any interest."

He returned again in the afternoon, and waited for her to enter the park at about 16:00 GMT before hiding in between two hedges.

"She was talking to her dog, and that's when I came out. I attacked her with the knife," the defendant said.

When asked by defence barrister Caroline Rees KC to explain his feelings at the time, he said: "Adrenaline, a lot of fear. It wasn't logical."

McKenna told the jury he had put the newest, sharpest knife from his kitchen in his bag that morning

"I was aiming for her shoulder area and the upper body. I didn't want to kill her."

Asked by Judge Paul Thomas KC how many "blows" he remembered landing on Sidaway's body, he said "six or seven or so", and agreed with prosecution barrister James Wilson that he was "in a rage of anger".

He said the attack was interrupted after Sidaway told him to stop and screamed, and a neighbour shouted.

"I hesitated. I froze temporarily. I was in some shock myself," he said.

"As soon as I heard the neigh