Knife wielding man confronted by brave officers jailed for attempted murder of woman in Wandsworth

A knife-wielding man who was covered in blood when confronted by brave officers has been jailed for life for a frenzied attack on two women.

Tito Eleto, 30 (30.11.94) of Radipole Road, SW6 previously admitted attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife for his actions that stemmed from a domestic dispute.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Lucas Pollard said: “This was a horrific attack on two woman which began on a doorstep and escalated into a fight for their lives.

“The women absolutely thought they were going to die - it must have been terrifying for them, not least as a six-month-old baby was also inside the property.

“I thank the neighbours who heard the women’s screams for help and called police. Those officers then confronted Eleto as he tried to flee and, despite Eleto being still armed with a knife, managed to overpower and arrest him. Other officers who helped the victims described the scene inside the property as “carnage”.

“This type of domestic attack has a long-lasting impact on victims and we will always do our absolute best to investigate and bring offenders to justice.”

The incident happened on Monday, 4 December 2023 at an address in Wandsworth. Eleto arrived at the victim’s home and they had a doorstep conversation.

Eleto then asked the victim to remove the door chain so they could speak properly.

As soon as she did, he forced his way into the flat, kicking the door, and launched an immediate attack. The woman initially thought she was being punched but in fact Eleto was stabbing her.

The victim ran further into the property but was chased by Eleto who continued to attack her.

Eleto then turned his attention to the victim’s mother who was also inside and tried to stab her twice in the head as she came to the aid of her daughter. He succeeded in stabbing her in the armpit before returning to the first victim and stabbing her in the face.

He began to tire and the two women managed to get to a bedroom and lock themselves in with the baby. They screamed for help through a window and were fortunately heard by neighbours who called police.

The women had blocked the bedroom door with a cot but Eleto pushed through, still armed with the knife, and told them “everyone in the room is going to die”.

The victims begged for their lives and the safety of the baby, and Eleto eventually left the flat.

Police had raced to the scene and at the lift Eleto, covered in blood and brandishing the knife, was met by officers.

They used incapacitant spray when he refused to drop the weapon and then a Taser when he started to stab himself.

The officers managed to overpower him and he was arrested before being treated at hospital for his injuries.

Police found both woman inside – the victim in her 30s suffered deep cuts to her face, arms and neck. The other woman, in her 60s, had cuts to her arms. They gave immediate first aid before they were taken to hospital. The baby boy, whose mother was the woman in her 30s, was unharmed.

Eleto was charged, remanded in custody, pleaded guilty and then appeared on Monday, 16 December at Kingston Crown Court.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 12 years for attempted murder of the victim in her 30s, five years to run concurrently for GBH with intent on the woman in her 60s and one year to run concurrently for possession of a knife.