71-Year-Old Man Gets 7 Years In Prison For Attacking Ex-Wife With Hammer, Screwdriver

A 71-year-old man in the U.K. was sentenced to seven years and nine months in prison after he attacked his ex-wife with a hammer and screwdriver for leaving him.

Alec Butt was handed the prison sentence on Monday by Bristol Crown Court after he was found guilty of causing grievous bodily hurt to his wife Anna Butt, Bristol Live reported.

During Alec’s trial, the judge disputed his claim he acted in self-defense. The incident took place on Dec. 28, 2019, outside Anna’s workplace in Clifton. Intending to ambush Anna, Alec reportedly hid behind bins near her office, wearing a hoodie and a mask to cover his identity. When Anna arrived, Alec emerged from behind the bins, pushed her against a wall and placed his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming.

Alec and Anna both stumbled to the ground, following which the former hit the woman multiple times with a hammer and a screwdriver, and banged her head against the wall and floor, Bristol Live reported.

A bystander called the police, prompting Alec to flee, Gazette Series reported. Alec was arrested about 90 minutes later from a car park where he was sitting inside his vehicle.

Anna, who suffered injuries to her head and arms in the attack, was rushed to the hospital. The attack has caused Anna significant psychological harm. The victim has since made a full recovery.

"With my then-10-year-old twin girls, it was so hard to tell them their father had done that to their mother. I had to tell them as I honestly believed he would harm them to hurt me. I needed to protect my children and needed them to understand why," Anna told Bristol Live.

Anna added she made some lifestyle adjustments fearing a potential second attack from Alec.

"I park my car right up against the garage in case someone is hiding against the recesses. I have discussed with my children an escape plan from the house if something happens. I was convinced he would employ someone to finish what he started. I am not comfortable in my back garden. I feel imprisoned in my home out of fear of what could happen," Anna said.

"I take my personal alarm everywhere, even when I take out the bins. I sleep with it next to me and have 999 typed in before I go to bed so all I have to do is unlock it. I never leave the windows on the ground floor open. If I stop at traffic lights I have to wind the window up. I can’t have shopping delivered to my house anymore as I am scared to have an unknown person to my house," she told Bristol Post.