Southend: Man guilty of attempted murder

A man who entered a ground-floor bedroom where a woman was sleeping and stabbed her multiple times in an isolated attack has admitted attempted murder.

James Reilly entered the bedroom, in Kensington Road, Southend, shortly before midday on Sunday 3 July 2022. He was armed with a hammer and a knife.

He then stabbed the woman a number of times. She was taken to hospital having sustained life-changing injuries.

Officers responded to an emergency call within minutes and arrived to find Reilly in the street.

The 30-year-old, of Guildford Road, Southend was arrested and subsequently charged with attempted murder, possession of a pointed/bladed article, criminal damage and racially/religiously aggravated harassment alarm or distress.

Yesterday, Thursday 26 January, Reilly admitted the each of the charges at Southend Crown Court.

His sentencing was adjourned to March 31 at Basildon Crown Court pending the completion of pre-sentence reports.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hughes, who led our investigation, said:

“I have no doubt Reilly was intent on killing his victim that day but thanks to the 999 calls made by members of the public and people in her house, officers were on the scene within minutes and were able to safely detain him and the evidence gathered throughout the investigation left him with no option but to admit to his actions.
“At the very least, his admissions mean that our victim will not have to relive her experience throughout a trial.
“Reilly now faces a considerable prison sentence, which I truly hope will be of some comfort to the woman.”