Alexander Cornell, 27 years old, from Britannia Road in Ipswich was found guilty of attempted murder at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 23 January 2023 after a trial lasting six days. He will be sentenced on 9 March 2023

Officers were called at just before 2.30pm on Monday 4 July last year, to reports a man, aged 41 years old, had been stabbed at Parkway multi-storey car park in the town. The victim was taken to West Suffolk Hospital for treatment to three stab wounds to his back and neck area – the largest was about three inches long and caused muscle damage. He was arrested later the same day and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning where he was charged.

Cornell pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to wounding with intent and having a blade in a public place.

Enquiries established that Cornell had become obsessed with the victim’s partner. Cornell and the victim’s partner, a 39 year old woman, worked together for five years. The court heard how Cornell had bought the 39 year old woman a multitude of gifts, while the woman also changed her gym three times and on each occasion, Cornell started going to the same gym as her, despite her never telling him she had left or re-joined elsewhere. The woman has also repeatedly told Cornwell that there was no chance of the two of them being in a relationship.

Investigating officer DC Guy Mitchell said: “The victim’s partner found the best course of action was to completely ignore his behaviour as any attention would only encourage him. Cornell also had the 39 year old woman’s photo as his background for his Apple watch, despite being confronted about it and promising to change it.

“This was an extremely nasty, violent and pre meditated attack on the man and would have been extremely frightening to have Cornell attack him from behind. The victim is very lucky that his injuries were not ultimately fatal.