A pensioner has been jailed for 10 years for attacking two women with a machete at an old people's home in Ealing.
Joseph Louis, 75, a resident at the unnamed sheltered home in Ealing, was convicted at Harrow Crown Court of two counts of wounding with intent.
The court heard how he had slashed a 64-year-old woman across the palm as she put up her hand to defend herself, on January 21 this year. She stumbled outside and raised the alarm, as Louis attacked a second woman aged 51 who was left with blood pouring from her wrist. She ran upstairs to get away and managed to lock herself in a room before calling police.
When the police arrived they followed a trail of blood up a stairwell to find the second victim. Officers made a search of the building and found the Louise in the downstairs hallway where they arrested him. They searched his flat and seized a large meat cleaver. Louis refused to comment throughout his police interview.
After the sentencing on September 12, investigating officer DC Talat Taj said: "This was a horrific, violent attack on two people for no reason. During his trial, Louis denied causing any injury to the victims and claimed that someone else had attacked them. I am delighted for the victims that the jury returned a guilty verdict and Louis was given the sentence that he deserved."
The 51-year-old victim suffered extensive tendon and nerve damage to her wrist, and will never have the full use of her hand again. The 64-year-old victim received treatment for a deep laceration to her hand.
