Man who swung meat cleaver at wife guilty of GBH with intent
Jonathan Eldridge made a chilling 999 call from his home on West Street, Ryde, on Christmas Eve 2021. The 42-year-old confessed he had struck his wife in the head with a meat cleaver after a night of drinking.
Night of horror in Ryde
At around 10.20pm on December 24, Eldridge returned home through the back door and attacked his wife. Emergency services rushed to the scene and found the victim unresponsive on the sofa, suffering severe blood loss.
Trial reveals disturbing details
During the Winchester Crown Court trial, the jury heard Eldridge kept asking himself, “Why did I do this?” following his arrest. Initially charged with causing great bodily harm with intent, Eldridge later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent at Isle of Wight Crown Court on March 3 – but the plea was rejected.
Jury delivers guilty verdict
The case went to trial on June 13 in Winchester. On Wednesday, June 15, the jury found Eldridge guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He was remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced on September 1.
