Man jailed for ‘savage’ knife attack on ex-girlfriend at beauty salon in Dorset

The victim fought back “using her martial skills” and managed to break the knife
Gary Sadler has been jailed for 13 years
Dorset Police
Imogen Braddick15 June 2020
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A 57-year-old man has been jailed for a "vicious and frenzied" knife attack on his beauty therapist ex-girlfriend at her salon.

Gary Sadler, of Victoria Road, Poole, Dorset, was sentenced to 13 years in prison at Winchester Crown Court for wounding with intent to commit GBH and possession of a knife.

Sadler armed himself with a steak knife and launched the attack on his former partner Nahomi Ziraldo after she opened up the salon where she worked at the Dolphin shopping centre, Poole, on August 11 last year, the court heard.

Sentencing Sadler, Judge Jane Miller QC described how the defendant attempted to stab Miss Ziraldo “many times”, moving the knife towards her neck, before punching and hitting her.

But Miss Ziraldo had fought back “using her martial skills” and managed to break the knife, meaning she was not more seriously hurt.

Members of the public who heard the attack also managed to enter the premises through a fire exit and were able to stop the defendant, the court heard.

The victim suffered cuts and bruises and a damaged finger, meaning she could no longer carry out her work giving massages.

Sadler was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court
PA

The judge said Sadler had gone to the victim’s shop after she had missed an arranged meeting with him and he had become upset, believing that she had been “teasing him”.

Judge Miller told the defendant: “This was a savage and sustained attack in which your victim suffered very real injuries, particularly psychological.

"You planned this attack and you took a knife to the scene and it is only by good fortune that Miss Ziraldo is still here."

Rose Burns, defending, said the incident happened after Sadler, who has previously been treated for a psychotic episode, had become subject to stress caused by his mother’s death and his brother cutting off ties with him after not being a recipient of their mother’s will.

Detective Constable Ben Swain, of Bournemouth CID, said: “Gary Sadler was responsible for a vicious and frenzied attack.

"I would like to praise the victim for her bravery as this must have been a very frightening incident and it has had a significant physical and psychological impact on her life.

"I am also keen to thank the members of the public who intervened for their outstanding actions that stopped the victim from being further assaulted."

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