Major who slashed ex-wife guilty of attempted murder

A former Army major who travelled more than 100 miles and slashed at his ex-wife with a blade has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Rhiannon Creak was discovered with serious wounds to her neck, breast and torso, at Hardwick, in Norfolk, on 6 July last year.

Jonathan Creak, 50, of Woodstock in Oxfordshire, had previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife in a public place.

Creak is due to be sentenced on 30 May.

Rhiannon Creak was found fighting for her life on a country lane in the village, near Long Stratton. She had injuries that left her requiring a blood transfusion and surgery.

Norwich Crown Court previously heard Creak had followed her as she went to muck out a friend's stables.

Creak, of Westland Way, had driven from Oxfordshire to Norfolk on the day of the attack.

In her opening speech at the trial, prosecuting counsel Claire Matthews said Creak had pulled over in front of her car and confronted her, accusing her of having "taken everything from him".

The court was told Creak produced a Stanley knife from his pocket and his victim said she heard him shouting that she needed to die.

The prosecution said that on his return to Oxfordshire, Creak called his partner who contacted police when he told her he had killed his ex-wife.

He was pulled over near St Neots, Cambridgeshire, when he was found with blood on his hands and was arrested.

Ms Matthews said Creak revealed in his police interview that he had been married to Rhiannon for 10 years. They parted in 2018, but did not divorce until 2022.

Police said financial issues between the couple had been ongoing, but prior to the attempted murder the pair had had no contact since 2019.

Creak, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with British forces, had previously said he had not intended to use the knife, or cause his ex-wife serious injury.

It took the jury six hours to find him guilty of attempted murder.

Wearing a grey jumper, Creak gulped and put his head in his hands when the verdict was given.

Det Insp Duncan Woodhams said: "This was a horrific offence for which he has rightly been found guilty. Our thoughts remain with the victim and her family."

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