County Durham man who attacked woman with machete is jailed

Jack Muncaster had made threats towards the woman’s partner before damaging windows on their Seat Ibiza car with the machete, in Murton, County Durham, at 11.30pm, on Friday, April 19 this year.

Durham Crown Court heard that as the woman approached from behind, remonstrating over the damage he was causing, Muncaster struck out in her direction with the machete.

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said it caused a significant slash wound to the woman’s forearm, exposing tendons in the area near her wrist.

She required extensive hospital treatment and has not yet fully regained the use of her hand.

(Image: Durham Constabulary) The incident, which took place on Burnip Road, was captured on CCTV, and Muncaster was later arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, criminal damage, and possession of a knife in a public place.

Although he admitted the latter two offences earlier in proceedings, it was only on the day of scheduled trial, on October 7, that the defendant put in a guilty plea to the count of wounding with intent.

Miss Buck said it may have been at a late stage in the incident, but Muncaster had by then formed the intention to cause “really serious harm” with a blow which was a, “deliberate strike” towards the victim.

The court was told the defendant, of no fixed address, who only turned 21 in June, already has 17 convictions for 33 offences on his record.

He most recently served an 18-month sentence for a domestic burglary in 2023.

(Image: Durham Constabulary) A 17-year-old boy, who had driven Muncaster to the scene of his latest crime, in Murton, was also convicted of criminal damage.

He has been released on bail and will be sentenced next month.

Katie Spence, for Muncaster, said his intention that night was to cause damage to the car, and it was a “split-second decision” in launching the machete in the direction of the victim, which has, “ruined his life and the complainant’s as well.”

Miss Spence said: “It wasn’t prolonged or persistent, but he accepts causing those injuries.

“He’s incredibly ashamed of his behaviour and regrets it entirely.”

Miss Spence said that at the age of only 21, the defendant has spent, “a considerable proportion of his adult life in custody", having been, "exposed to criminal behaviour from quite a young age.”

She added: “It’s unfortunate because when he’s on the straight and narrow he comes across as someone who wants to stay there.”

Imposing the six-year sentence, Judge Nathan Adams said the whole incident may have only lasted 20 seconds.

He said after pulling up in a vehicle, the defendant, who was the passenger, jumped out carrying the machete and caused damage to the other vehicle, before landing the single blow in the direction of the complainant, with, “a highly dangerous weapon.”

“Unsurprisingly, she spent two nights in hospital.

“The machete went through her wrist to half-full thickness and considerable medical intervention was required.”

The judge said the victim suffered scarring to the lull length of her wrist.

Muncaster must spend two-thirds of the six years behind bars, with time served in custody prior to today's (Wednesday October 23) hearing counting towards sentence.

He also received a concurrent 18-month prison sentence for a distraction burglary at a house in Blackhall Colliery, in December 2022, in which he took keys to a car from a work top, before driving off in the vehicle.

Judge Adams said Muncaster should have been charged and dealt with for that offence at the time he received his 18-month sentence, in October last year, also for a "two-in-one" burglary, in which car keys and a vehicle were taken, in Sunderland, in June 2023, as it pre-dated that offence.

He also put in place life-long restraining orders prohibiting Muncaster from contacting or approaching either the victim of the machete attack or a friend who witnessed the incident.

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Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Jessica Palmer, of Peterlee CID, said: “This was a terrifying incident for the woman involved, who has been left with life-changing injuries as a result of Muncaster’s actions. 

“The impact of knife crime on individuals, families and communities is truly devastating and long-lasting.

“We will always take robust action against those who choose to carry knives and use them to harm others.”