Jonathan Balmer told the woman: 'Don't take the f***ing p***' before repeatedly stabbing her
Wigan man grabbed carer in bear hug and repeatedly stabbed her with kitchen knife after she made him feel 'inferior'A man has been jailed for life after repeatedly stabbing his carer with a concealed kitchen knife whilst out on a walk.
Jonathan Balmer, 37, was walking in a wooded area near to Incefield House inGrabbing his carer in a bear hug, he then stabbed her before chasing her as she tried to run away. Catching up to her, he continued to stab at her body and arms after she fell to the ground.
Prosecutors said that it was Balmer's intention to kill her after she made him feel 'inferior' whilst at the supported accommodation, and said he chose to go to his flat and get the five inch blade. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder three days into his trial in February this year. Today, Monday, May 18, he was jailed for life.
On Tuesday last week, Anna Pope, prosecuting, said Balmer is diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and paranoid schizophrenia and has been known to the mental health services for a number of years. She said as of February last year, Balmer had been living at Incefield House for the last 18 months. He was said to 'get on well with staff generally' and other residents.
He was staying in the secure unit, before moving to his own flat within the accommodation, which was the 'last stop' before reintegration into society. Days before the attack, the woman overheard Balmer speaking to another colleague about her cousin, another support worker, being his 'Valentine'. The woman stopped him and said the conversation wasn't appropriate, the court heard.
"The defendant went back to his flat, the Crown say he was embarrassed," Ms Pope said. "Next on February 10, she saw the defendant appeared unsettled and was pacing in the hallway. She asked if he was OK and if he wanted to go for a walk. He agreed and said he wanted to go and get ready.
"They went back to his flat, and the Crown say that whilst in his flat, he selected a knife from the kitchen. "They began the walk at around 2.10pm, during which they went through a wooded area and 'off the beaten track' steered by Balmer, it was said. Around 15 minutes later, Balmer grabbed her in a 'bear hug' and pulled out the blade, at which she laughed and said 'what the f***'.
Balmer then 'swung' the knife and stabbed her to her body, telling her: "Don't take the f***ing p***.
" As she started to run away she tried to get her phone from her pocket to call for help but Balmer chased and remained 'expressionless', Ms Pope said. "She fell to the ground and he carried on stabbing her whilst she lay on the ground. She begged him to stop. She thought she was going to die," she said.
"He then stopped and ran away whilst she lay on the ground heavily bleeding. She was able to get her phone and call her work to inform them. She was too shocked to realise how seriously she was injured.
"A member of the public was cycling in the woods and came across the woman. He was able to assist her and called the emergency services.
" The court heard the woman was treated for stab wounds to her chest, back, breast and right arm, as well as a laceration to her liver. The wound to her right arm severed muscles and tendons and she has since experienced a loss of sensation. After the attack, Balmer fled from Ince, Wigan, to Blackpool and went to hospital where he revealed he had slashed his stomach.
He told staff he thought he had killed someone and 'wanted to kill himself'.
'As a result of the attack, I have been forced to become someone who needed support, rather than give it' Reading from her statement in court, she said: "Jonathan Balmer changed my life in ways I'm still trying to understand. Beforehand I felt like my life had a purpose, to support and help others. It was not just something I did, it gave my life a meaning.
"As a result of the attack, I have been forced to become someone who needed support, rather than give it. "I no longer see the world as full of adventure to be explored. I live in a constant state of hypervigilance. I awake at night in a panic, soaked in sweat.
"This has had a significant impact on me physically and psychologically. I will not break. This has made me stronger in ways I never expected so for that, thank you Jonathan Balmer.
"The court heard that she returned to work in December last year as a support worker, but instead is helping children as it felt like a 'safer environment'. The court heard Balmer had previous convictions for robbery, possession of a machete and affray. Consultant psychiatrist, Dr Anil Kumar, said Balmer was stable in his mental state at the time. He denied that his mental state reduced his culpability.
"A presentence report found you had a callous unconcern for others and a lack of remorse," Judge Rachel Smith said. "She has demonstrated immeasurable resilience after you attempted to murder her. She maintained a professional and supportive relationship with you, she had done nothing to you when you meted our extreme violence on her using a knife causing serious harm. You pose a high risk to others. "
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