Kentish Express Ashford & District
EVIL KNIFEMAN GETS 32 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC ATTACK ON OAP
Brutal burglar given 32-year sentence
The brave Wye pensioner who fought off a savage and murderous knifeman has been praised for her “bloody-minded determination and character”.
Wendy Webster, a 74-year-old accountant, was stabbed 11 times during the ordeal at her home, where she had been recovering from a serious horse-riding accident.
On Monday, she sat just yards away from her attacker, Leonidis Mouzakitis, of Stanley Road, Folkestone, to watch him receive a 32-year extended sentence for his crime.
After the hearing at Canterbury Crown Court – where she was awarded a High Sheriff of Kent award for bravery – the modest and kindly victim told a police officer she was “just glad it was over”.
She had earlier told Judge James O’Mahony in a victim- impact statement that she regarded herself as “lucky to be alive” and was “really cross” she felt unable to live in Wye.
During the trial the jury had heard how in the middle of the frenzied stabbing, Mrs Webster told herself: “I’m not going to let him bloody kill me! I thought I’m going to die. I am not going to let that happen!”
The judge said she survived for two reasons: the immediate medical help she received; and her “quite indefatigable spirit and bloody-minded determination and character”.
Mouzakitis, 24, was found guilty of attempting to murder her in what the judge described as a “calculated, methodical and vicious” attack.
He was jailed for 27 years, and the judge added another five years to be served on licence when he is released.
The jury had been told that, despite her appalling wounds, Mrs Webster had staggered 80 yards from her home in Little Olantigh Road before flagging down a passing car.
Mouzakitis had admitted aggravated burglary, stealing a car and wounding with intent but had denied attempted murder.
Prosecutor Simon Connolly told the jury how Mouzakitis had conned his way into the home of the businesswoman last August before producing a knife and grabbing her around the neck.
Mrs Webster tried to talk the knifeman into giving himself up to police as they sat at a table at her home, where she was recovering from the riding accident.
Mouzakitis had been to the property a few weeks earlier, claiming he needed help in starting his car, and she thought he might have been a new neighbour.
Mr Connolly said he arrived at her home claiming he was collecting a parcel that had been left in her garden by the postal service.
He then produced a knife after grabbing his victim around the neck. Mrs Webster’s finger was cut as she put an arm up.
She said: “I was astounded and terrified. He told me: ‘I am sorry. I must have your car. I need your car because I have to get to Bournemouth’. All I could do was to try to keep things calm and no aggravation.”
Mr Connolly said the burglar claimed his sister had been abducted by a loan shark, and demanded the keys to Mrs Webster’s BMW.
During a bizarre discussion, the burglar told her he was “really evil” and claimed to be a tattooist from Ashford before pretending to call the police to give himself up.
Judge O’Mahony also praised Det Con Andrew Jones who had supported the victim throughout the court hearings.