'Knew the axe would potentially cause fatal damage' - Man jailed for attacking partner

A man from Cumbria who struck his wife three times with a climbing axe leaving her with a fractured skull was described by police as knowing "the axe would cause potentially fatal damage."

Daniel Holden, 56, of Station Road, Keswick, was jailed for four years for grievous bodily harm with intent at Carlisle Crown Court on 6 January 2025. He pleaded guilty in November 2024.

The court heard that Holden called the North West Ambulance Service stating he had 'attacked his wife' and that she was 'heavily bleeding' from her injuries, on 5 July 2024. The medical service contacted Cumbria Police after the call.

Following the sentencing Suzanne Redikin, Detective Inspector for Cumbria Police, said: “Holden made significant comments following his arrest on the attack.

“Holden knew the axe would cause potentially fatal damage to the victim when he hit her three times.

“The use of any weapon has the potential to end in tragedy, and the police and courts take such an act extremely seriously.”

The victim, who suffered a bleed on the brain, was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary - the attack left her struggling to speak.

Prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court a nearby neighbour heard shouting which stopped when there was a thump and the sound of something heavy hitting the floor.

Holden told the first police officer to arrive at the scene “she might drop dead at any second”.

He described in the aftermath how the weapon went “right through her skull”, also telling police: “I actually meant to murder her”; “I think I made a big mistake”; and “I’ve been mentally quite unwell”.

On leaving the address, Holden told his wife: “I’m going to jail. I’m so sorry. I love you.”

The woman described being attacked by her axe-wielding husband after he called her to a bedroom and sat her on a bed.

She was taken initially to Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary but then transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle due to the severity of her injuries. She had suffered a fractured skull and brain bruising, but had since made a successful recovery and was intending to return to work.

Holden was described as being delusional and paranoid during the months before his attack, and anxious about undiagnosed health problems.

His wife told police she was aware of him previously drinking, taking drugs and not working. She told police she didn’t want to press charges or get him into trouble, instead saying she wanted him to receive professional help.

Holden, initially charged with attempted murder, admitted the lesser alternative offence of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced at the crown court on Monday, when Judge Nicholas Barker revealed Holden’s wife had written him a letter, pleading for mercy.

Judge Barker also considered detailed background information including what he said was a “helpful, thoughtful and balanced” report from a psychiatrist who had spoken of a challenging assessment of Holden.

“I do accept, Daniel Holden, that you are deeply remorseful for your actions,” the judge told him as he passed sentence.

But Judge Barker said of the attack: “Within your mental state there was a premeditation to your actions. This was not an off-the-cuff, spontaneous event.”

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