Woman left in wheelchair after being brutally stabbed

A man has been jailed for stabbing a woman multiple times in South Gloucestershire. Ashley Joyner, 56, inflicted life-changing injuries which has left his victim with partial hearing loss and in need of a wheelchair.

He was arrested after police were called to his home in Shortwood Road, Pucklechurch, on the morning of Monday, September 11. Emergency services had found that a woman, 39, had been stabbed six times and she was rushed to hospital.

Joyner was charged the following day before being found guilty of attempted murder. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday (November 26).

In a statement which was read out in court on her behalf, the victim said: “This incident has changed my life. I do not know or understand why this has happened to me. I am now very fearful of men and will never trust a man again.

“Due to the incident, it is unlikely I will have full use of my right leg and now have partial hearing in my right ear. I will never be able to work again and will have to use a wheelchair to get about. What kind of a selfish, manipulating person is he. I cannot call him human or indeed an animal.”

Joyner was also sentenced to eight months in prison, to run concurrently to the other sentence, for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The second charge related to an incident at a social club in Pucklechurch in July 2023, where Joyner had hit a man over the head with a bottle in an unprovoked attack.

DC Mike Tarling said: “Joyner’s horrific and violent actions against the victim have had a lasting impact and has forever changed her life.

“She has displayed immense courage and bravery throughout this investigation and I commend her for how she has carried herself throughout, while recovering from these dreadful injuries inflicted upon her.

"Joyner poses a significant risk to the public and I am pleased that such a dangerous offender will be in prison for many years to come.”