'Appalling' man stabbed woman after she refused to break up with her boyfriend

A South London thug who tried to flee the country after stabbing a woman who would not leave her boyfriend for him has been jailed for life. Eric Da Silva-Soares, 29, from Erith, phoned the woman in her 20s while she was with her partner in Dartford town centre on the evening of August 31 2024, giving her an ultimatum that she leave him or be murdered.

Around 10 minutes later, the woman saw the infatuated Da Silva-Soares approaching when he pulled a knife from a bag and stabbed her in the stomach and left arm. Her boyfriend tried to stop the attack, but he was also repeatedly stabbed. When a friend tried to pull Da Silva-Soares away they were stabbed in the back, while the woman's partner was then stabbed in the face, Kent Police said.

The victims managed to escape to a nearby fast-food restaurant where staff blocked the door and Da Silva-Soares fled. All the victims required surgery in hospital, and the woman's partner suffered life-changing injuries.

On September 1, Da Silva-Soares texted the woman to admit his actions were unforgivable. The next day he was arrested at Edinburgh Airport where he had attempted to escape the country. He was charged and pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to two attempted murders and unlawful wounding. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 12 years and 10 months.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Emma Lawry at Kent Police said: "This was an appalling, unprovoked assault on three young people enjoying a night out in Dartford. Da Silva-Soares came to the town armed with a knife, intent on violence, and inflicted shocking injuries.

"The impact of the assaults will have a long-lasting effect on the victims. The two men who tried to tackle Da Silva-Soares showed immense bravery and all three victims should be commended for their courage whilst assisting our investigation. Da Silva-Soares has shown himself to be a very dangerous individual and it is only right that he is now starting a lengthy prison sentence."

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