Man who launched brutal hammer attack on woman in front of her children jailed

A man who chased a woman and smashed her repeatedly in the head with a hammer in front of her children has been jailed.

Joel Victorious, 51, from Southwark, launched a brutal assault in Peckham in October 2023.

Police were called to the scene after reports of a domestic incident to find the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, laying bleeding from the head as her children looked on.

Victorious had threatened her with knives before the hammer attack, the Old Bailey heard.

He was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to life on Thursday.

Officers responding to the incident performed emergency first aid to the woman who had suffered life-changing injuries.

The officers also provided life-saving support to Victorious who had stabbed himself during the incident.

After he was jailed the victim praised police for their swift and professional actions.

She said: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to officers at Peckham Police Station for their swift and heroic actions in saving my life. Their professionalism and bravery during an incredibly difficult time will forever be remembered.

"A special thanks goes to Simone Kidd, the investigator, who worked tirelessly on the case.

“Her dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance ensured that justice has been served in the case of the attempted murder against me. Thanks to her and the team's hard work I can move forward knowing that those responsible have been held accountable.

"This has been a challenging journey but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the support I have received from the Met. I hope this serves as a reminder of the incredible work the Met do in serving the community. Their bravery in the line of duty is a testament to the values they uphold in protecting our community."

Detective Inspector Andy Kinkead said: "This shocking case demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of the Metropolitan Police Service, from those attending the scene to the detectives who built the case.

"Officers have continued to provide expert support to the family during this extremely upsetting time."

The sentence comes as the Met continues to deliver its New Met for London Plan, which includes a focus on tackling violence against women and girls. The Met has added 565 people into specialist teams to tackle the problem.

DC Simone Kidd, who was the investigating officer said: "I want to commend the victim for her bravery and for supporting this investigation to a positive outcome. I sincerely hope she can now move forward.”

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