Man jailed for ‘appalling’ town centre knife attack driven by obsession with woman
A man who stabbed a woman and two men in a “brutal” and “appalling” attack last summer has been jailed for life.
Eric Da Silva-Soares, of Wharfside Close, Erith, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 12 years and 10 months at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday.
The 29-year-old previously pleaded guilty to two attempted murders and unlawful wounding at the same court.
On August 31, 2024, Da Silva-Soares launched a brutal knife attack in Dartford town centre, driven by his unrequited infatuation with a woman he knew.
The woman, who was in her 20s, was with her partner and another man in Spital Street, when she received a telephone call from a friend.
She was advised Da Silva-Soares was in the town and had threatened to kill them if she did not leave her partner. Around 10 minutes later, the woman saw him approaching, carrying a bag.
Da Silva-Soares pulled a knife from the bag and stabbed the victim in her stomach and left arm.
Her partner, who was also in his 20s, intervened but was repeatedly stabbed.
Their friend tried to pull Da Silva-Soares away but he was stabbed in the back.
Da Silva-Soares then returned to stabbing the woman’s partner, including his face, until all three victims managed to escape to a nearby fast food restaurant.
Staff locked the doors and Da Silva-Soares fled the scene.
The three victims were taken to hospital where they underwent surgery for their serious injuries. The injuries to the woman’s partner are described as life-changing.
Police discovered that Da Silva-Soares had travelled north to avoid arrest.
On September 1, he sent a text message to the woman he had stabbed, admitting his actions were unforgivable.
The following day, Kent Police directed cops at Edinburgh Airport to detain him as he tried to catch a flight out of the country.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Emma Lawry, said: “This was an appalling, unprovoked assault on three young people enjoying a night out in Dartford.
“The two men who tried to tackle Da Silva-Soares showed immense bravery and all three victims should be commended for their courage.”
Pictured top: Eric Da Silva-Soares, of Wharfside Close, Erith, was sentenced to life in prison at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday (Picture: Kent Police)