Police officer relives moment he was attacked by man with two kitchen knives

A police officer has opened up about the terrifying moment a man lunged at him with huge kitchen knives - with only his body armour saving his life.

Gwent Police Constable, Rhydian Jones said he would not be here today if it wasn’t for the stab proof vest he was wearing as Tony Buttigieg repeatedly stabbed him in October last year.

He described how he feared for his life as there were “at least three or four” impacts from the blades on his vest.

PC Jones, been working as police officer for ten years, said it was the first time he had ever experienced such extreme violence.

“I’ve dealt with many public order situations, whether that’s on a Friday or Saturday night, or when we’re executing something like a drug warrant or dealing with a violent person.

“But this is the first time I’ve come that close to severe injury or potentially death as a result.”

PC Jones had been called to the block of flats in Caerleon where Buttigieg lived in the early hours of October 2 last year by neighbours who were concerned about his behaviour.

Read more: Man jailed for knife attack on police officer

Buttigieg was described as being in a “frantic” state in the communal areas of the block, shouting and banging on doors and talking about people coming to get him and a £1.5 million bounty on his head.

When officers arrived they found an “agitated” Buttigieg “pacing around” behind a glass door in the hallway on the top floor of the building, armed with two kitchen knives.

PC Jones described how he made repeated attempts to calm Buttigieg, and get him to put the weapons down - but the defendant would not be reasoned with.

“My aim was ultimately, to try and get him to drop the knives,” he said.

But Buttigieg refused and PC Jones described how he continued to make threats towards himself, including threats to “stab himself in the heart”.

Despite the powerful shock from the stun-gun, the device - which had only partly connected with Buttigieg - was not enough to completely incapacitate him and officers had to physically remove the weapons from his grasp.

“In training they talk about a fight or flight mechanism, so it’s just a case of doing what you can to protect yourself,” PC Jones said.

“He was coming at me so quickly, it all happened so fast.

“Time almost froze a little bit and I just started thinking about what it is I had to do.”

Buttigieg, of Flavius Close, Caerleon, pleaded guilty to attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing.

Judge Paul Thomas QC told Buttigieg he had armed himself with two “fearsome kitchen knives” from his flat, and used them to attack police - but that at the time he was clearly suffering from a “temporary psychotic episode” fuelled by drink and drugs.

The judge sentenced Buttigieg to four years in prison, half of which he will serve in custody.

Judge Thomas also praised the “calmness and professionalism” of the officers involved.

“I still do think about it pretty much everyday,” PC Jones said.

“It does has an effect on your family. From their point of view, it makes them feel a little bit helpless.

“But they’re just happy that it came to a safe conclusion and that we were able to disarm him and that nobody was hurt.”