Dartford knife attacker jailed for life

A violent offender who sought to flee the country after stabbing two men and a woman in Dartford has been jailed for life.

In 2024, Eric Da Silva-Soares was responsible for a brutal town centre knife attack linked to his infatuation with a woman he knew; however his feelings were not reciprocated.

During the evening of 31 August 2024, the woman, who was in her 20s, was with her partner and another man in Spital Street, when she received a telephone call from a friend.

She was advised Da Silva-Soares was in the town and had threatened to kill them if she did not leave her partner. Around 10 minutes later, the woman saw him approaching and carrying a bag.

Brutal stabbing

Da Silva-Soares pulled a knife from the bag and stabbed the victim in her stomach and left arm. Her partner, who was also in his 20s, intervened to protect her but was repeatedly stabbed.

Their friend tried to pull Da Silva-Soares away but he was stabbed in the back. Da Silva-Soares then returned to stabbing the woman’s partner again, including his face, until all three victims managed to escape to a nearby fast food restaurant.

Staff at the establishment locked the doors to prevent the offender following them and Da Silva-Soares then fled the scene.

The three victims were taken to hospital where they underwent surgery for their serious injuries. The injuries to the woman’s partner are described as life-changing.

Police commenced urgent enquiries to track down the offender who had travelled north to avoid being arrested.

Escape thwarted

On 1 September, Da Silva-Soares sent a text message to the woman he had stabbed admitting his actions were unforgiveable.

On the following day, his efforts to escape were thwarted when Kent Police detectives directed officers at Edinburgh Airport to detain him as he sought to catch a flight out of the country.

Da Silva-Soares, of Wharfside Close, Erith, London, was charged and pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to two attempted murders and unlawful wounding.

On Friday 7 March 2025, the 29 year old was sentenced to life imprisonment. The judge considered him to be a dangerous offender and he will have to serve a minimum of 12 years and 10 months before he becomes eligible for parole.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Emma Lawry, said:

‘This was an appalling, unprovoked assault on three young people enjoying a night out in Dartford. Da Silva-Soares came to the town armed with a knife, intent on violence, and inflicted shocking injuries.
'The impact of the assaults will have a long-lasting effect on the victims. The two men who tried to tackle Da Silva-Soares showed immense bravery and all three victims should be commended for their courage whilst assisting our investigation. Da Silva-Soares has shown himself to be a very dangerous individual and it is only right that he is now starting a lengthy prison sentence.’