Ahmed Ismail Ali, 34, from Christina Street, Butetown has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the attempted murder of his former partner.

The incident began at around 2pm Sunday, February 24, Ali assaulted the 26-year-old woman with a brick at her home in Rutland Street, Grangetown.

She managed to escape but he chased her to the nearby Premier Stores in Cornwall Street where he stabbed her numerous times to the neck and head.

Several members of the public came to the woman’s aid, police were called and thanks to a quick-thinking taxi driver, within 15 minutes Ali was arrested by armed officers in Callaghan Square.

He admitted the charge and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court (Thursday, May 30).

Detective Constable Geraint Higgins, from Cardiff West CID, said: “This was an extremely vicious domestic assault that resulted in shocking injuries including fractures to the skull and multiple stab wounds to the neck and head which required emergency surgery.

“Clearly such injuries could have had a more tragic outcome but thankfully the victim survived and continues to recover from this ordeal.”

In the hours before this assault, Ali tried to buy two large carving knives from a local ASDA shop only to be prevented when he provided staff with false identification.

DC Higgins said: “It is important to praise the vigilance and actions of the ASDA staff who intervened when Ali attempted to but two large knives just hours before the attack.

“We would also like to thank the members of the local community who so bravely helped on the day and have supported our the investigation.

“We hope today’s sentencing reassures the victim and gives her some closure to what was a terrifying incident.”