Harlow: Woman convicted of stabbing man

A woman has been convicted of stabbing a man during an event at a home in Harlow.

Detectives from our serious crime directorate led the investigation which has led to the conviction of Cayleigh Reid.

Reid was attending a social event in Torkildsen Way on the evening of Saturday 25 June 2022.

Shortly after 3am the following morning she became involved in an argument.

During the exchange, which involved about five other people becoming aggressive, Reid told members of the group she intended to arm herself and stab the victim, a man aged in his 40s.

Moments later, she stabbed the man with a metal barbeque skewer which she had found in a kitchen drawer. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries as a result Reid’s actions.

He survived the incident only after emergency surgery but now lives with the serious and long-lasting impact of the incident.

Emergency services were called to the incident and Reid was arrested close to the Torkildsen Way address.

Reid, 26, of Windsor Road, Slough, was interviewed and subsequently charged with attempted murder.

She denied the charge.

Today (Wednesday 16 August), following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, she was found not guilty of attempted murder but was convicted of GBH with intent.

She was also found not guilty of attempted GBH in connection with an alleged assault on the man’s wife.

She is due to be sentenced at the same court on 2 October.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Julie Gowen, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, has led our investigation.

She said:

“This incident could quite easily have resulted in a death and our team would have been delivering unimaginable news to the victim’s family.

“It is only through the timely work of surgeons that this did not happen.

“The victim and his family are now living with the serious long-term consequences of that night.

“I know Reid’s conviction today will not alleviate any of those but I hope it will be of some comfort to him and his family that we have been able to secure justice and Reid will face an appropriate time in prison as punishment for her actions.”