A vile attacker who hid inside his ex-partner’s home before stabbing her 22 times has been locked up for 22 years. The brutal assault unfolded right in front of her two young children.
15-Minute Knife Rampage
Jake Joe Bamber, 35, from York, waited inside a cupboard. When she was on a phone call, he struck, stabbing her repeatedly. The victim suffered collapsed lungs and deep wounds to her chest, abdomen, legs, head, and back.
During the 15-minute attack, the mum was begging him to stop as her five- and six-year-old kids watched in horror. When his first knife broke, Bamber fetched a bigger blade from the kitchen to continue the savage assault.
“No thought of changing course, no thought of not attacking her, crossed your mind… You were clearly determined to kill her,” said Judge Robin Mairs.
Horrific Abuse and Stalking Before the Attack
- For weeks, Bamber sneaked into her home, moved belongings, and once even trashed her underwear.
- He shouted through her letterbox, jumped out at her in the dark, and stared at her house from the garden.
- He once threw himself at her car, trying to open doors while screaming threats to kill her.
- On 9 January, she found wet footprints inside and stayed away. Despite changing the locks the next day, Bamber was hiding inside when he launched his attack.
Brave Kids and Neighbours Save Lives
After the stabbing, the older child shouted for help from an upstairs window. A neighbour climbed in and found the injured woman, administering life-saving first aid. Judge Mairs praised the neighbour’s “complete selflessness and absolute courage.”
“I would like to put on record the court’s commendation of courage,” he said.
Victim Speaks Out
The victim, in her 20s, told the court her life was shattered beyond recognition.
“Someone I once believed loved me hunted me down and I barely escaped with my life,” she said.
“I used to be confident and hopeful. Now I barely recognise myself.”
She described fighting to stay conscious, thinking her last sight would be her terrified children covered in blood.
Judge Slams Bamber’s ‘Performative’ Remorse
Bamber, who admitted attempted murder, possession of a blade, controlling and coercive behaviour, and stalking, was jailed for 22 years and four months with five years on licence.
The judge condemned Bamber’s “performative and self-serving” remorse and noted his PTSD diagnosis did not affect his ability to make decisions—the judge blamed cocaine use instead.
Restraining Order and Final Words
Bamber was slapped with an indefinite restraining order banning any contact with the victim or her children.
Detective Chief Inspector Kirk hailed the victim and her children as “true heroes” for their bravery during the nightmare.
“Even though she was desperately injured, her first thought was to protect her young children… I am in awe of the courage of her children… I also pay tribute to her neighbour who acted without hesitation. In my mind, these women and children are true heroes.”
