Husband who tried to murder his wife with a bow and arrow before attacking her with a kitchen knife while she made a frantic 999 call is jailed for 17 years

A husband who tried to murder his wife with a bow and arrow before attacking her with a kitchen knife has been jailed for 17 years.  

Stephen Carr, 57, was found guilty of attempted murder at their home in Strensall, York after a frenzied attack which left his partner Lorna Carr with horrific injuries. 

As his wife pleaded for her life during a 999 call to North Yorkshire Police on 8 September 2024 asking for urgent help, Carr brutally stabbed her six times.

CCTV from inside Carr’s own home captured the violent assault and video footage showed him attacking his wife first with a compound bow and then with a kitchen knife.

During the vicious bombardment, he told her: ‘You are dying tonight.’

The defenceless victim attempted to escape her husband by closing a door when she saw him drawing his bow, which he then fired at the door with his wife standing behind it.

Fearing further violence, the terrified wife managed to find a number of arrows and break them to prevent him using them on her.

After chasing her round the family home with the dangerous weapon, he followed her into their bedroom where his wife had fled.

Stephen Carr, 57, (pictured) was found guilty of attempted murder at their home in Strensall, York after chasing his wife Lorna Carr around their family home with a bow and arrow

CCTV from inside Carr’s own home captured the violent assault and video footage showed him attacking his wife first with a compound bow and then with a kitchen knife

The defenceless victim attempted to escape her husband by closing a door when she saw him drawing his bow, which he then fired at the door with his wife standing behind it (Pictured: a bolt through a door)

While she hid under the duvet on their bed Carr fired three shots with unbroken arrows that he managed to find.

During the onslaught, the victim made a call to 999, and told police: ‘He’s got a bow, he’s got a compound bow… DON’T KILL ME STEVE PLEASE. DO NOT KILL ME YOU C**T. PLEASE! THINK OF YOUR MUM’.

As she desperately pleaded for help from emergency services, Carr took a kitchen knife and plunged it in to her back six times as she laid in the foetal position on the floor. 

The victim screamed to the police call taker, telling them what had happened and asking for urgent help.

After the savage attack, Carr retreated to his garden shed, where he was later discovered by police.

After the brutal assault Carr sent a WhatsApp message to his wife in which he said: ‘I’m glad I didn’t do what I wanted to do. I did say you were pushing me to far [sic]. My bag [sic] sorry.’

The victim was treated at the scene by attending police officers, before paramedics took her to Leeds General Infirmary where she had surgery. She spent a number of days in hospital before she was sent home.

Detectives from North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team led an extensive investigation and when Carr was interviewed he failed to provide any account for the sustained and repeated attack on his defenceless wife.

Carr, who had been remanded in custody since his arrest, pleaded guilty to the alternative offence of causing grievous bodily harm but denied attempted murder.

After the brutal assault Carr (pictured) sent a WhatsApp message to his wife in which he said: ‘I’m glad I didn’t do what I wanted to do. I did say you were pushing me to far [sic]. My bag [sic] sorry.’

At his trial, Carr said he never intended to kill his wife but that if he had wanted to kill her he would have been able to with his skills as an archer (Pictured: a bolt through Carr’s wooden front door)

At his trial, which concluded at Leeds Crown Court on Monday 2 June 2025, Carr told the court he followed his wife around the house drawing the bow to scare her into leaving him alone, as he stated she was controlling him.

He suggested that this was a build-up of pressure of working full time, his caring responsibilities for his elderly mother and his dependence on alcohol.

He said he never intended to kill his wife but that if he had wanted to kill her he would have been able to with his skills as an archer.

When asked about the repeated use of a knife causing six significant stab wounds to her back, Carr suggested he had ‘blacked out’. 

The court heard he had no background of violence or abuse, with his behaviour on the night described as a ‘one-off, out of character incident’ where drink had played a part.

Despite the horrific attack, Mrs Carr told the court in a letter that her husband was ‘a very broken man’ that night but she had forgiven him and trusted that he would never hurt her again, the BBC reports. 

The prosecution showed the violent attack with multiple weapons was carried out by someone who was overwhelmed, drunk and angry, and developed an intention to kill his wife having lost all ability of self-control.

The jury found Carr guilty of attempted murder and he was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 17 years in prison on Wednesday and an additional three years on licence following his release.

Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Sygrove said: ‘Domestic violence takes many forms – the fact Carr has ultimately been jailed for attempted murder underlines just how serious incidents can be.

After the attack which included stabbing his wife six times as she lay defenceless on their bed, Carr went and sat in his shed where police found him (pictured)

When asked about the repeated use of a knife causing six significant stab wounds to her back, Carr suggested he had ‘blacked out’ (Pictured: Carr in a police van following the attack)

The jury found Carr guilty of attempted murder and he was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 17 years in prison on Wednesday and an additional three years on licence following his release (Pictured: Carr in custody after his frenzied attack on his wife)

‘It’s hard to imagine the terror the victim felt being shot at with a bow and arrows, then set on with a knife by her own husband. This was also a harrowing incident for our officers and control room staff who responded to the 999 call, and their professionalism ensured Carr was promptly located and arrested before anything further could happen.

‘While we apply high levels of discretion when we deal with domestic violence, it’s also important we raise awareness and highlight the work we do to tackle it, so people have the confidence to come forward.’

Det Chief Insp Sygrove added: ‘There’s a range of support available to victims, including IDAS which helps people affected by domestic abuse and violence. You can also utilise Claires Law, which enables us to release information about any previous history of violence or abuse a person might have.

‘If you or someone you know needs help, please report it to us on 101 or 999 if it’s happening now, or find out more about the support available by visiting www.idas.org.uk’