A woman has been jailed for 23 years after a brutal attack in Leicester left her victim with permanent vocal damage. Shelley Hill, 45, was convicted of attempted murder following a vicious stabbing with a broken glass bottle.
The assault occurred on the evening of April 28 on Yeoman Street, Leicester. Hill, formerly of Manitoba Road, was found guilty at Leicester Crown Court in October. On Thursday, she was sentenced to 23 years in prison and will serve an additional three years on licence after release.
The victim, a woman in her 40s, spent four weeks in hospital recovering from the attack. Six months later, she continues to suffer from severe vocal palsy, which is paralysis of her left vocal cord. She said, “I can’t talk more than a whisper without pain and strain. I’m embarrassed by how I sound and worry what people think. The doctors have told me my vocal palsy is permanent.”
In addition to the physical damage, the victim experiences frequent nightmares and is haunted by stabbing dreams that wake her abruptly. She described the experience as “awful.”
Police were called to the scene shortly after 6pm following a report from East Midlands Ambulance Service. The victim and Hill had known each other for several months through a mutual acquaintance. During a confrontation in a car park, Hill grabbed a bottle from the victim, smashed it, and stabbed her in the neck before fleeing the scene.
CCTV footage captured the attack, leading to Hill’s arrest two days later on April 30. She initially pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm but denied attempted murder. However, the evidence presented in court proved otherwise.
Detective Constable Jo Turnbull praised the victim’s courage throughout the trial, stating, “She has struggled to come to terms with her injuries but showed incredible bravery. I hope this sentence helps her move forward.” Turnbull also commended the police and staff involved in the case, saying, “From the initial response to the court hearing, everyone played their part in making sure justice was served.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
