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Reports suggest that the victim’s arm was partially amputated during the assault by cocaine and vodka-fuelled Michael Moon. They also state that the victim managed to roll out of the way of Moon’s vehicle – despite laying stricken on the ground and still having the eight-inch knife lodged in her shoulder. Carmel Ratcliffe only survived the attack thanks to vital treatment from a neighbour, who happened to be a recently retired paramedic.

This afternoon, Moon was jailed for 22 years after admitting attempted murder. The incident came after he blamed his victim for the breakdown of his relationship with her daughter and subsequent difficulties with child contact.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the 39-year-old’s relationship with Leanne Finnegan, with whom he shares a nine-year-old daughter, ended around three years ago. Issues began to arise while she was pregnant with their child, including an incident which saw him barge past the expectant mother – who at the time was holding another of her daughters from another relationship, then aged one – and slash a sofa and a mattress with a blade.

Ms Ratcliffe told the police that Moon, from Widnes, was a dealer after a quantity of drugs was found on him upon his arrest. Ian Harris, prosecuting, described how “bitterness began” between the pair after this episode.

While later seeking contact with his daughter, he falsely reported Ms Finnegan for child neglect. According to the Liverpool Echo, she then informed the authorities of a cannabis farm which Moon had growing at his house on Cherry Sutton in Hough Green, which was subsequently raided – revealing a £24,000 drugs factory.

He then told social services that he would “take her whether she liked it or not”. Shortly before the brutal stabbing, the convicted drug dealer sent a chilling message to his new partner stating that he would “have to take things into his own hands”.

Ms Ratcliffe reported that Moon had not visited her home for five years, the last time previously being when he had been looking after the child but “lost his temper when she was playing up” and began breaking her toys before leaving the youngster on her grandmother’s doorstep and driving away. She had also been tailgated by him at speed when she saw him out driving on occasions.

But shortly after 9pm on June 4 this year, he drove to her neighbourhood after consuming nearly two litres of vodka and more than half a gram of cocaine and spotted her walking along Tabley Avenue. Moon honked his horn and pulled up next to her, briefly speaking to her out of the window but then getting out of the car armed with a large 13in kitchen knife with an 8in blade.

He then stabbed Ms Ratcliffe eight times to the head and upper body, then knifed her a further 14 times after she fell to the floor. The knifeman “backed off” after neighbours ran to her aid.

Moon threw the knife at the pensioner from a distance of 4ft, causing it to became lodged under her shoulder blade. Ms Ratcliffe began crawling away in a desperate attempt to escape, but he told her he would “run her over” and mounted the curb as he drove away and veered towards her.

Miraculously, she was able to avoid being run over by rolling into bushes. Kenneth Reid, her neighbour and a former paramedic with nearly 30 years of experience, had been at a party at the time and administered life-saving first aid at the roadside alongside Ms Ratcliffe’s husband Alan.

She was rushed to Aintree Hospital after the attack left her left arm partially-amputated with the bone exposed. However the limb was saved during emergency surgery.

Doctors believe Ms Ratcliffe would have died within an hour if not for the intervention of specialists. She suffered stab wounds to her forearm, shoulder, cheek and the back of her head as well as a skull fracture.

The nan will likely have permanent scars from the assault and is expected to need a further five years of care. Ms Ratcliffe cannot blink and has to tape one of her eyes shut while sleeping and is unable to wash herself or brush her teeth without assistance from family members, and may not be able to return to her job as a housekeeper.

Afterwards, Moon visited his sister’s home and borrowed a phone charger before changing out of his bloodstained clothes, visiting Crosby Beach, disposing of his mobile phone – which was never found – and driving back to Widnes at speeds of up to 134mph. He was arrested on Grizedale in Hough Green in the early hours of June 5 after a manhunt, with another cannabis farm then discovered at his home.

His previous convictions also include two for assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he assaulted drinkers in social clubs in two separate incidents, including glassing one victim. In 2016, he was convicted of battery against Ms Finnegan having punched her in the face because she suspected him of cheating on her.

Michael Bagley, defending, cited a letter which Moon had penned to the court in which his client described his daughter as his “little princess” and said that he wanted to be a “loving, caring father”. The barrister added: “He accepts full responsibility for what he has done and does not try and water down his intentions.

“It seems when he takes intoxicants, his judgement is lost and he acts in a way which makes little or no sense. His motivation to see his daughter, who he cares for deeply, does not for a moment justify or properly explain what happened. How could it? It seems he snapped.

“He had taken the knife to frighten her and try and persuade her to his drunken state of mind at that time. He completely lost his self-control and he doesn’t seek to blame or justify. It is to his credit that he has been as candid as he has. He recognises how shameful his behaviour was on that day.”

Moon also pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place. He must serve at least two-thirds of the lengthy term in custody before being eligible for release, and was also handed an extended four-year licence period.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt QC said: “You blamed Carmel Ratcliffe for the breakdown of your relationship with Leanne Finnegan and the cease of contact with your daughter. The responsibility for that state of affairs comes with you and you alone. The conversation quickly escalated into a confrontation, during which you lost control and exploded. The reason for that explosion was Carmel Ratcliffe telling you a number of home truths about your relationship with Leanne Finnegan and your own daughter.

“You have accepted that when you attacked Carmel Ratcliffe, you intended to kill her. The actions of those who helped her at the scene probably saved her life.

“Without emergency specialist medical treatment, she would have died within an hour. It is unlikely she will ever recover fully from her injuries.

“The injuries suffered by Carmel Ratcliffe had a significant and continuing impact on almost every aspect of her life. It is clear that you recognise and regret the damage you have done to her those who love and care for her.”

Moon was handed an indefinite restraining order and told to pay a victim surcharge. Judge Flewitt also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife and recommended Mr Reid for a £250 reward, adding: “I should like to formally recognise and commend the actions of Kenneth Reid, whose prompt treatment undoubtedly played an important part in saving her life.”

Officers involved in the case described it as “one of the most violent and harrowing attacks” they have seen. Detective Inspector Hannah Friend, who led the investigation on behalf of Cheshire Police’s major investigation team, said: “Today our thoughts are with Carmel and her family, who have shown incredible courage and tenacity since the attack, and I thank them for their support.

“Carmel’s remarkable resilience stands in sharp contrast to the actions of the coward who attacked her and who is now serving a lengthy prison sentence. This incident was one of the most violent and harrowing attacks my colleagues and I have seen in our careers.

“All those involved in the incident and subsequent investigation have been truly shocked by the callous and brutal nature of the assault. Had it not been for the outstanding bravery of Carmel’s neighbours in providing critical lifesaving first-aid, I fear that the outcome for Carmel would have been very different.

“The actions and professionalism of the initial response officers, paramedics and our NHS colleagues in contributing to the victim’s incredible recovery have meant that she has been able to return to her family as a much-loved wife, mother, and grandmother. Finally, I would like to thank the officers and staff from teams across Cheshire Police who worked so diligently throughout this investigation, supported by the Crown Prosecution Service, to ensure that the offender was successfully brought to justice.”

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