Ex-fiancée of Prince Charles' godson ‘stabbed tourist to go to jail’

“Random attack”: Zeaphena Badley allegedly slashed and stabbed the woman, who was walking back from a night out with her boyfriend
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The homeless former fiancée of Prince Charles’ godson stabbed a tourist in the head with a Stanley knife because she wanted to be sent to jail, a court heard.

Zeaphena Badley, 35, launched the random attack on Oona McCabe, 24, outside a Burger King in Paddington, it is said. She also allegedly slashed Ms McCabe’s boyfriend, Kevin Cannon.

Southwark crown court heard that the couple, on a holiday to London from Ireland, were walking back to their hotel from a night out in Soho on January 17.

“Ms McCabe suddenly felt a burning sensation across the back of her right knee,” said prosecutor Tom Nicholson. “She turned around to find a female shouting at her, and she didn’t immediately realise that the defendant had used a Stanley knife to slash her in the leg.”

CCTV shows Ms McCabe stagger into the Burger King, followed by Badley. “She lunged at Ms McCabe, grabbing her by her hair and striking her repeatedly over the head,” said Mr Nicholson.

“She cut her with the Stanley knife blade, shouting about wanting to be put back in jail. She managed to inflict serious head injuries.”

When Mr Cannon intervened, he allegedly suffered a 4cm chin wound. A witness, Alfonso Moncada, was also cut as he tried to take the knife off Badley, it is said. She allegedly cried out “great” when police arrived.

Badley was once engaged to Nicholas Knatchbull, Charles’s Eton-educated godson, but the wedding was called off in 2013. “The reason for this attack was the defendant wanting to go to prison rather than living on the street,” said Mr Nicholson.

Ms McCabe and Mr Cannon, who both needed stitches, were due to give evidence today. Badley denies wounding with intent and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The trial continues.

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