RELEASED FROM PRISON ON LICENSE AFTER SERVING TIME FOR STRANGLING HIS GIRLFRIEND
A man named Matthew Bayle, aged 32, of George Street in Bridgwater, was released from prison on license after serving time for strangling his girlfriend and setting her home on fire in an attempt to conceal his crime.Less than two years after his release, he committed a brutal and terrifying attack involving stabbing a male and female victim in a pub-turned-drug-fueled incident.
The victims reportedly encountered Bayle earlier in the evening, where he appeared overly intoxicated.
Later that night, after drinking with the victims at his flat, Bayle, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, launched a violent assault.
According to prosecutor Stephen Dent, the attack began around 4 am when the male victim awoke to find Bayle straddling him with blood running down his face.
Bayle then stabbed the victim three times, causing injuries to his face, chin, and neck.
The female victim, witnessing the assault, was attacked and throttled by Bayle, who also caught her in the chin with a kitchen knife while giggling and threatening her life.
The male victim managed to pull Bayle away, and both victims fled to a nearby petrol station for help.
Bayle was later arrested at about 8 pm on the following day at the A39 near Cannington, where he admitted to the attack, stating he was ‘seven out of 10’ drunk and believed the man had stolen his wallet and attacked the woman to calm her down.
Both victims required hospital treatment for their injuries.
The woman reported suffering from anxiety, fear of leaving the house alone, and needing sleeping tablets, describing the incident as leaving her feeling as if she had been killed.
Bayle’s defense argued that his background did not indicate violent tendencies but acknowledged his struggles with alcohol and drugs which they claimed affected his behavior.
The court heard that Bayle had a custodial sentence for manslaughter and was settled in Bridgwater after his release.
Sentenced by Judge David Evans, he was jailed for six years for wounding the male victim, with a four-year extended license, and 16 months concurrently for the second charge.
The judge emphasized that although Bayle had been deemed no longer a public risk after serving eight years, his subsequent actions showed a disregard for previous lessons learned.
The attack scene was described as terrifying, with victims fearing for their lives and suffering lasting emotional effects from the incident.
