An elderly man told his wife, ‘I’ve got something for you’ before attempting to stab her to death and then driving his car in front of an incoming train.
Albert Tedford, 77, left his wife, Bridie, with 13 stab wounds – and also tried to slash her throat with a kitchen knife.
Tedford was sentenced in Melbourne’s Supreme Court on Friday to nine years in prison and is required to serve six years before becoming eligible for parole.
Albert Tedford (right), 77, told his wife Bridie (left), ‘I’ve got something for you’ before attempting to stab her to death and then driving his car in front of an incoming train
Justice John Champion said Tedford’s then 62-year-old wife had been caring for her husband in the moments immediately preceding the assault.
Tedford told her they would both die that night but she responded that while he might, she would not.
The assault came after Mrs Tedford suggested to her husband that they should sell their home.
The pair had a tumultuous marriage for eight years and had been in a relationship for 25. Mrs Tedford moved into the rear bungalow of their home, where he locked her in before coming back with a knife.
Mrs Tedford fought back and pushed her husband away, grabbing the knife and stabbing him before running for help.
A teenage neighbour heard her screams and alerted her father, who called the police.
While his wife was treated, Tedford took her car and drove around for an hour while a dash camera recorded his angry conversations with himself, upset that he’d failed in his murder attempt.
When he reached a Coburg train station he drove onto the tracks and accelerated into the path of an oncoming train, which rammed into the driver’s side of his car.
While Tedford pleaded guilty to attempted murder, the court heard there was doubt over whether he was truly sorry for what he had done or regretted the situation he found himself in.
Tedford was sentenced in Melbourne’s Supreme Court on Friday to nine years in prison and is required to serve six years before becoming eligible for parole
Mrs Tedford (left) suffered no life-threatening injuries but has since suffered ongoing pain, scarring, terrifying nightmares and finds herself afraid of shadows
Tedford suffered only minor cuts in the crash and pleaded guilty to reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
The train driver and passengers all escaped unharmed.
Mrs Tedford suffered no life-threatening injuries but has since suffered ongoing pain, scarring, terrifying nightmares and finds herself afraid of shadows.
Justice Champion said the attack was a dreadful example of domestic violence and a spurious breach of Mrs Tedford’s trust.
‘Your actions were extremely violent toward your intimate partner who was entitled to feel protected, even though the relationship between you was failing,’ Justice Champion told Tedford.
Anyone in need of help due to a domestic violence matter should contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 13 11 14.