Man jailed for 12 years for stabbing a man and attacking a woman

A man has been jailed for twelve years for stabbing a man before going on to attack a woman, leaving her with facial injuries and fractured ribs.

Declan Smith (19/09/1997), of Derwent Street, Tyldesley, was jailed on 12 April at Bolton Crown Court after earlier pleading guilty to s18 Grievous Bodily Harm with intent and S20 Grievous Bodily Harm.

On the evening of 12 February 2021, Smith was drinking and socialising with three other people at a property in Wigan. Several hours later, at around 6am the following morning, Smith began arguing with one of the men in attendance.

During the disturbance, Smith punched the man repeatedly, before picking up a knife from the counter and stabbing the man in his side. 

When officers arrived to investigate, Smith told officers his attack was in self-defence, but he was later arrested and charged.

Nearly two years later on 15 January 2023, while Smith was awaiting a court appearance for the attack, officers attended an address in Atherton, where a woman disclosed that she had been assaulted.

The woman had significant facial injuries, and explained that Smith had turned up to her property unannounced after she had returned from a night out. After pushing his way into the property, Smith attacked his victim over the following hours, leaving her with extensive swelling, bruising, and three fractured ribs.

When the victim was finally able to leave, she received medical treatment and informed police of the incident.

Officers subsequently arrested Smith and the victim bravely told police of her ordeal.

Detective Constable Lyndsey Smith, from GMP’s Wigan district, said: “Declan Smith committed two incredibly disgusting crimes and I am happy that he now has the four walls of a prison cell to think about his actions.

“Both of the attacks were incredibly violent, but the fact he repeatedly assaulted a woman over several hours, leaving her with multiple injuries, is particularly disturbing. I would like to thank that woman’s bravery in talking to us – her courage in helping us put Smith behind bars was truly amazing.

“We will never tolerate such violence in our communities – anyone who engages in such behaviour can expect to have a visit from us.”