A man has been jailed following a random attack on a woman in Bury St Edmunds.

Stephen Byrne, aged 54 and of Hodson Close in Bury St Edmunds, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 1 December where he was sentenced to 45 months in jail.

It follows an incident which occurred around 10:25pm on 14 June 2023. A woman aged in her 50s was walking her dog on St Olaves Road when she was approached from behind by a man who was not known to her and stabbed in the lower back.

Byrne immediately fled the scene and returned home where he called police on 999 and admitted the offence.

The victim also called police and was taken to West Suffolk Hospital where her injuries were confirmed as minor.

Byrne was arrested at approximately 10:40pm that same evening and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning where he admitted he had been drinking alcohol throughout the day and was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

He pleaded guilty to the offences of possessing a knife in a public place and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

DI Stuart Dolan-Allen from West Suffolk CID said: “This was an unprovoked and random attack which so easily could have led to a fatal conclusion.

“The victim fortunately did not suffer serious injury, however this would have been a terrifying ordeal and the psychological impact should not be underestimated.

“Knife crime can have devastating consequences and I hope the sentencing shows that violence will not be tolerated in our communities and we will take robust action on those responsible.”