MAN WHO LAUNCHED BRUTAL HAMMER ATTACK ON WOMAN IN FRONT OF HER CHILDREN JAILED
A man responsible for chasing a woman and repeatedly striking her in the head with a hammer in front of her children has received a prison sentence.Joel Victorious, aged 51 and from Southwark, carried out a savage attack in Peckham during October 2023.
Emergency services responded after reports of a domestic disturbance, arriving to find the victim — who is not allowed to be named publicly — bleeding from head injuries as her children watched.
Prior to the hammer assault, Victorious had threatened her with knives, the Old Bailey was told.
He was convicted of attempted murder and received a life sentence on Thursday.
Police officers at the scene administered immediate first aid to the woman, who sustained injuries that could greatly impact her life.
They also offered critical rescue efforts to Victorious, who had injured himself with a stabbing during the attack.
Following his imprisonment, the victim expressed her gratitude towards law enforcement for their quick and professional response.
She stated: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to officers at Peckham Police Station for their swift and heroic actions in saving my life.
Their professionalism and bravery during an incredibly difficult time will forever be remembered.
"A special thanks goes to Simone Kidd, the investigator, who worked tirelessly on the case.
“Her dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance ensured that justice has been served in the case of the attempted murder against me.
Thanks to her and the team's hard work I can move forward knowing that those responsible have been held accountable.
"This has been a challenging journey but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the support I have received from the Met.
I hope this serves as a reminder of the incredible work the Met do in serving the community.
Their bravery in the line of duty is a testament to the values they uphold in protecting our community." Detective Inspector Andy Kinkead remarked: "This shocking case demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of the Metropolitan Police Service, from those attending the scene to the detectives who built the case.
"Officers have continued to provide expert support to the family during this extremely upsetting time." This sentencing aligns with the Met’s ongoing ‘New Met for London’ strategy, which emphasizes addressing violence against women and girls, adding 565 personnel to specialized teams dedicated to this issue.
DC Simone Kidd, who led the investigation, said: "I want to commend the victim for her bravery and for supporting this investigation to a positive outcome.
I sincerely hope she can now move forward.”
