Belfast man sentenced to eight years for hatchet attack on woman

A 45-year-old Belfast man has been sentenced to eight years at Laganside Crown Court after attacking a woman with a hatchet, leaving her with serious head and back injuries.

Stephen Kennedy was sentenced on Friday, 9 October 2026, for grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated by domestic abuse.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the victim, aged 49, suffered puncture wounds, skull fractures, significant bruising and extensive blood loss during the attack in February 2024.

Emergency services called to seriously injured woman

Police were alerted by ambulance service colleagues on 29 February 2024 after they attended to a woman suffering from a serious head injury and multiple lacerations.

Officers arrived at the address and found the victim in the ground-floor communal area of a block of flats.

She had sustained puncture wounds to the back of her head and back, along with extensive blood loss.

Kennedy was subsequently arrested and charged. He pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated by domestic abuse, before the case proceeded to trial.

Police describe sustained domestic abuse

Detective Inspector Jane McCallum said Kennedy had subjected the woman to abuse over a sustained period before the attack.

She said the victim had attempted to hide from him when he armed himself with a small hatchet and attacked her.

The detective described Kennedy as an extremely dangerous individual and highlighted the lasting psychological impact of domestic abuse.

“The physical injuries are horrific but as these heal, the psychological trauma the victim has suffered as a result will remain,” she said.

Detective Inspector McCallum also praised the victim for coming forward and helping bring Kennedy before the courts.

PSNI encourages domestic abuse victims to seek help

Following the sentencing, police reiterated their commitment to supporting victims of domestic violence and encouraging people experiencing abuse to report it.

Detective Inspector McCallum said:

“Our message is simple, you are not alone. We are here, we will listen, we will protect you, and we will stand with you in seeking the justice that every victim of domestic violence deserves.”

The PSNI said the case demonstrated the serious physical and psychological harm caused by domestic abuse.

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