Brutal Stabber Gets Double Life Sentence for Two Knife Attacks in Weeks
A 50-year-old man has been locked up for life after two brutal stabbings left victims fighting for their lives just weeks apart. Vladimer Rutkovskis, from Brentford, was handed two life sentences with a minimum 11-year stretch behind bars at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 14 March.
Knife Attacks Shock London and Surrey
Rutkovskis first struck on 22 March last year, stabbing a young recruitment agency worker in Ealing. The 22-year-old victim, who was new on the job, was attacked after only 30 seconds of conversation. Rutkovskis pulled a knife from his jacket and stabbed him multiple times in the chest, neck, and head, leaving the man with life-threatening injuries.
The victim was rushed to hospital with four severe stab wounds but has thankfully made a full recovery. Rutkovskis fled the scene when disturbed by other staff.
Second Attack: No Motive, Just Violence
Less than two weeks later, on 3 April 2018, Rutkovskis struck again at a building site in Horley, Surrey. He stabbed an unsuspecting workman in the neck and back during a delivery collection. The 22-year-old victim had no connection to Rutkovskis and was left seriously injured.
Rutkovskis attempted to escape in his van but was caught and held down by other workers until police arrived. Officers found two kitchen knives in his possession. He was arrested, charged with attempted murder, and linked to both attacks after a prison interview on 6 June 2018.
Police Praise Teamwork as Judge Calls Killer “Extremely Dangerous”
Detective Constable Leanne Ticehurst from Ealing CID said: “Rutkovskis is an extremely dangerous man who carried out two unprovoked stabbings on men he did not know. The first victim was new to the job, making the attack all the more chilling. I’m relieved he’s now off our streets for a significant time.”
Detective Rob Fitz-Gibbons of Surrey Police added: “The victim in Horley was simply doing his job when Rutkovskis attacked him without any warning. This hefty sentence reflects the serious nature of the crimes and the great work between our forces to secure justice.”
The sentencing judge warned that Rutkovskis “posed a very real danger to the public” and stressed that no one could predict when he might be safe to release.
