Chilling moment police arrest man, 47, 'covered in blood' after he left woman close to death by hacking her 32 times with a meat cleaver - as thug is jailed for 18 years

This is the moment police officers arrested a man 'covered in blood' after he savagely hacked a woman with a meat cleaver, leaving her with life-changing injuries.

Lee Sargent, 47, of Stirchley, Telford, carried out the horrific attack at his home in Culmington on August 1, 2023. His victim was left close to death, sustaining 32 injuries to the face and hands during the attack.

Detective Constable Becky Jasper, the officer in charge of the investigation, said it was 'one of the worst cases of domestic violence' she has ever dealt with. 

Police bodycam footage from the time shows Sargent opening the door to officers, caked in blood, before he leads them upstairs to the main bedroom of the house.

One officer can be heard mumbling 'oh my god', before asking Sargent 'what's gone on?'. The footage is cut short as police enter the bedroom because it is 'too graphic'. 

Officers said when they entered the room they found a woman slumped on the bed with serious life-threatening injuries.

First aid was carried out by the responding officers, who saved the woman's life.

Sargent, who remained on the scene, was arrested for attempted murder before being brought in to custody at Malinsgate Police Station.

He was taken to hospital where he later assaulted a police officer by spitting at them. 

Sargent was charged the following day with attempt murder and assaulting an emergency worker, where he pleaded guilty to both counts at an earlier hearing in December 2023. 

He was sentenced to 18 years and 10 months at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, April 10.

The court heard the victim spent 11 days in ICU a coma and over a month in hospital following the vicious attack.

Prosecutor Patrick Sullivan said: 'That's when her struggles began.'

He said she had lost several fingers and a thumb and now 'struggled in daily life' requiring help to 'dress herself, cut her food and doing simple things like using scissors.'

He also told the court her 'new physical appearance' had triggered low self-esteem and PTSD. 

Temporary Detective Inspector Scott Marshall-Bowater, of West Mercia Police, said afterwards: 'She was so close to death, if it hadn't been for the medical interventions of police officers, who administered a tourniquet on her arm, and the response by the paramedics, she would not have lived.

'After 14 years as a police officer, this was hands down the worst injuries I've ever seen on someone who survived.

'I am surrounded by a brilliant team of people and we keep in mind the victim all times.

'Ultimately, in this case, she did not have a voice as could not remember anything so we gave her that voice.

'I hope other people realise that if they are in a situation like this that they need to get out of they can get out of it.

'I would urge anyone who believes they are a victim of domestic abuse to speak to police.'  

DC Jasper said: 'We welcome today's sentence of Lee Sargent, as this is one of the worst cases of domestic violence that I have ever dealt with.

'It was a sustained attack, which resulted in life changing injuries for the victim. I'd like to thank her for her cooperation and bravery throughout this investigation.

'I would urge anyone who believes they are a victim of domestic abuse to speak to police.'

In addition to 18 years and 10 months for attempted murder, he was given two months for assaulting an emergency service worker and two months in an unconnected child neglect case. 

He will serve these sentences concurrently.