Birmingham man jailed for life after knife attacks
A man who launched two unexplained knife attacks on members of the public in the space of a few hours – including one on a schoolboy – has been jailed for life.
Dominic Palmer stabbed his 15-year-old victim in the head and neck in Herbert Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, at 1am on September 30 last year having left his nearby home armed with a knife just moments earlier.
CCTV in a lift at his block of flats shows him returning with blood-stained hands – and then leaving at 5.30am on the same morning to carry out a second frenzied knife assault this time on a woman as she walked to work.
He came across the 59-year-old in Cyril Road and, having initially walked past the woman, doubled back to stab her from behind.
The woman suffered knife wounds to her nose, jaw and head and detectives suspect the attack could have been fatal had it not been for a passer-by who heard the lady’s screams and ran to her aid.
West Midlands Police arrested unemployed Palmer from his flat later that morning after a concierge told officers he’d seen him return home covered in blood.
Palmer refused to answer police questions or give evidence at court.
He denied two counts of attempted murder but was found guilty and was jailed for life at Birmingham Crown Court today.
He will serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars.
West Midlands Police detective inspector Richard Marsh led the inquiry. He said: “These were savage attacks; without intervention of members of the public and medical assistance both incidents could have resulted in fatal consequences.
“Palmer has never offered any explanation for his actions. The awful attack on the 15-year-old boy happened outside a mosque and there were suspicions initially it was racially-motivated – but that was later discounted and it appears his victims were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“And although Palmer has a history of mental illness the judge concluded that did not play a part in these attacks.
“We quickly arrested Palmer and seized CCTV showing his movements immediately before and after both stabbings – his blood-stained jacket was found discarded on a grass bank near his flat and blood-stained clothing and a knife were recovered from within his premises.
“His victims are still dealing with the physical and psychological effects of these attacks and I wish them well with their on-going recoveries.
“I’d also like to thanks them for the courage and resilience they’ve demonstrated throughout the investigation and subsequent court trial – and I hope the fact Palmer has been taken out of society for a long time will offer them some comfort.”
