Man jailed for attempted murder

A man has been jailed for 15 years after admitting he stabbed a man in Hanley.

Lloyd Bradford, 42, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Court on 30 November after he pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a man. He also admitted possessing a knife in a public place. 

Just before 12 noon on 16 May 2023, we were called to Lichfield Street in Hanley after a man had been stabbed. When we arrived, we found a man with puncture wounds to his chest and his chin. He was taken to hospital where he had surgery and was sedated until the next day. 

CCTV showed Bradford arguing with the victim before he collapsed. The footage clearly shows Bradford dropping a silver kitchen knife, which fell from his sleeve, before he picks it up and conceals it again. 

We visited Bradford’s last known address that afternoon and witnesses said he had been back to the property a few minutes earlier and washed a kitchen knife in the sink. He was arrested and there were spots of blood on the shorts he was wearing. We seized the knife and it matched the knife on the CCTV. 

DC Callum Green, of CID North, said: “This could have easily become fatality. Lloyd Bradford carried out a brutal attack which left the victim fighting for his life. 

“Thankfully, the guilty plea saved the victim from having to go through a trial. I would like to thank them for their support throughout this investigation.”