Chelmsford: 71-year-old man sentenced to eight years for attempted murder

A man has been jailed for attempting to murder his son-in-law, after assaulting him with a meat cleaver in Chelmsford last year.

Chacko Abraham Thenakarayil, 71 of Hornbeam Gardens, Chelmsford appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court this morning (17 July) where he was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of attempted murder.

Thenakarayil was arrested on Saturday, 6 May 2023 following a report of a man being seriously assaulted inside a property at Hornbeam Gardens in Chelmsford.

The victim was sat at the dining table in the house, with his three-year old daughter sat next to him, when his father-in -law Thenakaryil approached him from behind carrying a meat cleaver.

Thenakaryil then assaulted the victim on the back of the head with the cleaver, resulting in serious injuries. The victim managed to turn around and remove the cleaver from Thenakaryil, who then grabbed a knife and attempted to stab him. The victim managed to run from the house and call to the neighbours for help.

When neighbours came to help, they found Thenakaryil inside the house holding a third knife which the victim bravely removed from him. Thenakaryil implied to witnesses that he intended to kill his son-in-law saying to witnesses “I’m not finished.” 

The victim was taken to hospital after losing around 500ml of blood and sustaining a fracture to his skull.

After being charged, the jury found Thenakaryil guilty of attempted murder following a two-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, which concluded on Wednesday, 26 June.

Following Thenakaryil’s conviction, the victim describes how the assault has had a significant incident on him.

He said: “I still live in the same address where the incident took place and I regularly have flashbacks of the incident.

“I dream about my father-in-law coming to my hour with a knife and attacking me. To help me sleep better, I have put a lock on my bedroom door. I also had cameras installed as I worry that my father-in-law has escaped prison and will come attack me.”

Chacko Abraham Thenakarayil appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday, 17 July where he was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Judge Morgan said that Thenakarayil’s offence was a “spontaneous attempt to kill for wholly selfish reasons to a man who demonstrated kindness as did your daughter.”

Detective Sergeant Louis Moore said “The assault in May last year will stay with the the victim for the rest of his life.

“Thenakaryil’s actions have had a devastating impact on his family and he is lucky to be alive.

“I hope that today’s sentence gives a small form of closure and that he can start to move forward with his life.”