Burnham Beeches: 'Horrific' knife attacker pleads guilty to attempted murder

A man who stabbed his victim in the back and throat during a ‘horrific’ attack in Burnham Beeches has pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

Robert Reardon, 31, pleaded guilty to the crime and a separate charge of possession of a bladed article at Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday (October 27).

The convict, of Lowestoft High Street in Suffolk, committed his attack on his partner, a man in his 20s, while they were walking through the Burnham park in May this year.

Detective constable Connor Townsend, of Thames Valley Police’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit, said Reardon had ‘clearly intended to kill’ through his ‘horrific and sustained’ attack.

Reardon launched his brutal attack while he and his victim were walking through woodland at Burnham Beeches, late in the afternoon on Friday, May 23.

The criminal used a steak knife to stab his victim in the throat and back. The frenzied attack continued as Reardon strangled and struck the man, who pleaded for it to stop. 

However, Reardon’s victim fought off his attacker – disarming him twice – and escaped to a nearby road. There, he was able to alert a passing dog walker who called 999.

Emergency services were dispatched and, despite the victim sustaining serious injuries, they were able to save his life.

Police hunted down Reardon and arrested him the next day – the attacker had fled the woodland soon after his botched attack.

An investigation uncovered that Reardon’s attack had commenced after he asked to borrow his victim’s phone while the two were walking in Burnham Beeches at around 4pm.  

Reardon composed a fake text message on the phone, supposed to be sent to the victim’s mother, suggesting the man had suicidal thoughts.

This message was spotted by the man moments before Reardon’s attack.

Detective Constable Connor Townsend from the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “This was a horrific and sustained assault. Reardon clearly intended to kill.

“His guilty plea was the only appropriate outcome. I commend the victim’s courage and hope this conviction helps him move forward.

“Domestic abuse can happen to anybody, and such violence will never be tolerated by Thames Valley Police.

“I would urge anyone who is going through domestic abuse of any kind to come forward and trust that Thames Valley Police will do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.

“If you are in immediate danger, call us on 999.”

Reardon will be sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on December 4.