Jealous Ex-Boyfriend Jailed After Knife Attack on Former Partner's New Beau
A violent confrontation unfolded in a Merseyside home when a jealous ex-boyfriend forced his way inside armed with a knife, screaming "that's my bird, no one else's" at his former partner's new boyfriend before threatening to stab them both.
Forced Entry and Immediate Threat
Alan Atkinson, 50, of Marsh Lane in Bootle, arrived at the property on Ford Lane in Litherland at approximately 10:30pm on July 26 last year. The homeowner, Patrick Smith, was in the kitchen, while his nephew Aaron Smith sat in the living room with his girlfriend Chloe Lloyd, who is Atkinson's ex-partner.
After hearing a loud knock, Aaron Smith opened the door to find Atkinson brandishing a knife. He attempted to slam the door shut, but Atkinson blocked it, thrust his arm inside, and slashed towards him with the blade. Aaron Smith quickly retreated toward the stairs as Atkinson pushed the door open and entered, jabbing the knife in his direction.
Aggressive Confrontation and Police Intervention
Prosecutor Arthur Gibson told Liverpool Crown Court that Atkinson was heard saying, "what the f***s going on with the flat?" referencing the property where he and Chloe Lloyd had previously lived together. It appears some damage had been caused to the flat, which may have triggered the incident.
Atkinson then told Aaron Smith, "That's my bird, no one else's," demonstrating his possessive anger. The commotion alerted Patrick Smith, who ran from the kitchen, saw Atkinson armed with a knife, and immediately fled to call the police.
As officers arrived with sirens and blue lights flashing, Atkinson, still inside the house, demanded, "Who the f*** called the police?" He then ordered Aaron Smith and Chloe Lloyd to sit down in the living room and instructed them to lie to the officers, saying, "Tell them nothing has happened. Get rid of them or we'll come back and burn you out." He also threatened to stab the couple.
Arrest and Discovery of Weapon
When police knocked at the door, Atkinson threatened to stab both occupants. The door was open, allowing Atkinson to hear the conversation. When officers asked if anyone was inside, Aaron Smith verbally stated he was happy for those inside to be present and that no one had a knife, but simultaneously shook his head to indicate there was a problem and a person inside with a knife.
Police entered the house and arrested Atkinson. The knife was subsequently found hidden under a sofa in the living room. Atkinson pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and witness intimidation.
Defence and Sentencing
Defending barrister Brendan Carville explained that Atkinson had gone to Ford Lane because he had been informed his flat had been "smashed up" and that Ms Lloyd was responsible, and he wanted to "remonstrate with her." Carville noted that Atkinson had already spent 197 days in custody, equivalent to a seven-month sentence.
Recorder William Beardmore, during sentencing, highlighted Atkinson's extensive criminal history, stating, "You have 20 previous convictions for 40 offences between 1995 and 2024. You have a previous conviction for aggravated burglary and multiple for relatively low levels of violence."
The judge noted that Atkinson accepted he was "a little bit jealous" of the relationship between Aaron Smith and his former partner and referenced going to the property due to damage to the flat. However, a pre-sentence report assessed Atkinson as a very high risk of serious harm to adults he knows, citing relationship difficulties, substance misuse, mental health issues, unstable accommodation, limited emotional regulation, and poor decision-making.
Recorder Beardmore sentenced Atkinson to 27 months in prison and imposed a restraining order banning him from contacting Patrick and Aaron Smith for five years.
