Chelsea Housekeeper's Terror as Attacker Seeks Release from Secure Unit
Joselia Pereira Do Nascimento, known as Josy, has spoken of her profound terror after discovering that the man who stabbed her 42 times could soon be granted escorted leave from a secure mental health facility. The 31-year-old housekeeper, who nearly lost her life in the brutal attack, received a letter last week indicating that the hospital where Maximillian Bourne is detained has applied for him to have periods of leave under supervision.
The Brutal Attack in a Chelsea Townhouse
In February 2024, Ms Nascimento was alone at the Chelsea townhouse of property developer Graham Bourne and his art consultant wife Sylvia when their 26-year-old son Maximillian launched a violent assault. During his trial last year, jurors heard a chilling emergency call recording in which Bourne calmly described himself as a 'nice boy from Chelsea' who had stabbed the 'demon woman in my house'. He was deemed unfit to stand trial due to a paranoid psychotic episode and was convicted in his absence of attempted murder.
Maximillian Bourne received an indefinite detention order in a secure mental health unit, with any potential release dependent on the decision of a specialist tribunal. However, less than two years after the near-fatal attack, Ms Nascimento has been informed that steps are being taken towards his possible temporary release.
Victim's Trauma and Ongoing Suffering
'The moment I read the letter, I panicked,' Ms Nascimento told The Mail on Sunday. 'All the memories of the blows to my face and body came flooding back. I still have a lot of physical pain from my injuries and scars, along with the psychological pain. I am terrified to walk the streets. I suffer panic attacks and flashbacks when I lie in bed.'
She added: 'This man tried to take my life, and I was lucky to survive. They said he wasn't well enough to stand trial, but now he seems to be doing well. He should be brought back to court to answer for what he did. He destroyed my life, and I don't feel justice has been done.'
Background of Employment and Modern Slavery Findings
Ms Nascimento, who is from Brazil, began working for the Bourne family as a maid in June 2022, later becoming a live-in employee at their £20 million five-bedroom Chelsea home. The Home Office subsequently found 'conclusive grounds' that she was a victim of modern slavery, highlighting serious concerns about her working conditions.
On the night of the attack, she was alone in the house with Maximillian Bourne after his mother, Sylvia Bourne, asked her to 'look after' him while she worked abroad for several months. 'I had my concerns as his behaviour could be a bit odd – he talked to himself and sometimes he slept in the bath,' Ms Nascimento recalls.
Details of the Violent Incident
On February 25, 2024, Ms Nascimento heard Bourne outside her basement bedroom door, asking her to 'come outside'. When she opened the door, he thrust a kitchen knife into her neck, face, and arms before attempting to throttle her, telling her she was 'from evil'. Despite her severe injuries, she managed to free herself and call the police while bleeding profusely.
Surgeons had to repair extensive damage to her lungs, scalp, eye socket, chest, back, and arms. Her recovery has been long and painful, with both physical and psychological scars that continue to affect her daily life.
Lack of Support from Wealthy Employers
Despite the Bourne family's considerable wealth – Sylvia Bourne is the great-granddaughter of former Brazilian president Epitacio Pessoa – they have refused to pay compensation to Ms Nascimento. The judge at Bourne's trial noted that the family had offered 'no help, no support, and nothing but a single text message while [Ms Nascimento] was in hospital'.
Ms Nascimento, who is currently staying in a shelter for trafficking victims, has made a civil claim for damages. She says the Bournes refuse to settle, leaving her feeling that 'what happened to me doesn't matter'. Her lawyer, Hal Branch, has stated that he will take the case to court, emphasizing: 'The injuries Josy suffered affect her every day and will continue to do so. It is only right she receives compensation.'
