Swanley pensioner assaulted by man armed with knife

A pensioner was attacked in Swanley by a man armed with a knife after he knocked on her door and she refused to do his washing.

Michael Leahy has been sentenced to more than six years' imprisonment after he repeatedly lunged at the victim with the weapon and grabbed her throat.

Leahy attended the victim’s home near London Road, shortly after 6pm on 23 February 2024.

She had previously cleaned his clothing as a favour because his washing machine was not working.

Lengthy struggle

He was intoxicated and when new demands for a tracksuit to be washed were refused Leahy immediately gripped her neck.

At the same time, he was holding a serrated blade which was broken from its handle. Leahy repeatedly jabbed the blade towards her face, stomach and arms.  

A struggle ensued for several minutes, before another elderly person came to the victim’s aid, and between them they managed to push Leahy out of the property. 

The victim narrowly avoided serious injury but suffered cuts, abrasions and bruising.

Leahy, 61, was arrested at the scene by attending officers and the weapon was found discarded in the victim’s home.

Sentenced after trial

At Maidstone Crown Court, Leahy admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He denied a more serious charge of attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but was found guilty after a trial.

On Tuesday 10 December, Leahy was sentenced to six years and three months in prison. He will have to serve at least two thirds of the sentence before he can apply for parole.

Detective Constable Chris Welham said: ‘Leahy left his victim in genuine fear for her life, repaying her earlier kindness with a savage and terrifying attack. 'He claims to have no memory whatsoever of the assault having told us that he had consumed large volumes of vodka as well as quantities of cocaine. ‘I do hope the victim can take comfort and reassurance now that he has been jailed, and that when he does eventually get released he will also be subject to a restraining order lasting ten years’.