Southend: 17 years in prison for 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 been jailed thanks to work from our officers.

James Reilly entered a bedroom in Kensington Road, Southend, shortly before midday on Sunday 3 July 2022.

Reilly 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 from our local policing team 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. Investigative work from our Criminal Investigation Department and Serious Crime Directorate resulted in Reilly being subsequently charged with attempted murder, possession of a pointed/bladed article, criminal damage and racially/religiously aggravated harassment alarm or distress. He was then remanded into custody.

Reilly admitted the each of the charges at Southend Crown Court on Thursday 26 January and appeared at Basildon Crown Court today, Friday 31 March, to be sentenced.

He was jailed for 17 years, with a further two on licence, and issued with an indefinite restraining order.

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

“The horrific actions of Reilly and severity of this attack are shocking.
“The victim was asleep at the time and has been left with life changing injuries, if wasn’t for her bravery and quick thinking this may well have resulted in further casualties.
“Thanks to the members of the public who promptly called 999, officers were able to get to Kensington Road very quickly, identify Reilly and arrest him to prevent him from causing any further harm.
“The evidence which was gathered throughout the investigation left him with no option but to enter a guilty plea and today's sentencing reflects the severity of his actions.
“The guilty plea has meant the victim has been spared the difficulty of sitting through a trial and having to relive her experiences.
“Although his prison sentence can never undo what Reilly did, I sincerely hope it is of some small measure of comfort to the victim and her family and they can begin to move forward.”