Eric Da Silva-Soares jailed after a brutal knife attack on a woman he was obsessed with and two men in Dartford, UK.
The woman was with her partner and a friend when she got a call from another friend. The friend said Da Silva-Soares was in town and threatened to kill the woman and her partner.
About ten minutes later, she saw the 29-year-old attacker as he came toward them with a bag. He then pulled a knife from his bag.
He stabbed the woman in her stomach and arm. When her partner tried to stop the attack, Da Silva-Soares repeatedly stabbed him. Their friend tried to pull the attacker away, but he was stabbed in the back, too.
Da Silva-Soares continued stabbing the partner, even in the face. The three victims escaped to a fast-food place where staff locked the doors as Da Silva-Soares ran away.
All three victims went to a hospital and needed surgery for their serious wounds. The partner suffered life-changing injuries because he was stabbed repeatedly.
On September 1, Da Silva-Soares sent a text to the woman saying his actions were unforgivable. The next day, officers stopped him at Edinburgh Airport as he tried to fly out of the country.
Da Silva-Soares, who lived in Erith, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and wounding. He appeared at Woolwich Crown Court and received a life sentence on March 5, requiring him to serve nearly 13 years before applying for parole.
A detective chief inspector commented on the case, calling it an appalling and unprovoked assault on young people in Dartford. She noted that Da Silva-Soares came armed and ready to hurt people.
The attacks will affect the victims for a long time, and the two men showed great courage in trying to stop Da Silva-Soares. The detective commended the victims for their help.
She concluded that Da Silva-Soares is very dangerous and that his long prison sentence is justified for his crimes.