A PENSIONER who was stabbed repeatedly in the head for just £10 believed she was going to die, an Ely detective has told the Ely Standard. Speaking after the sentencing of 18-year-old Philip Layton, who was jailed for 10 years last Friday, Det Sgt Tim Und

A PENSIONER who was stabbed repeatedly in the head for just £10 believed she was going to die, an Ely detective has told the Ely Standard.

Speaking after the sentencing of 18-year-old Philip Layton, who was jailed for 10 years last Friday, Det Sgt Tim Underhill said the victim, 64-year-old Janet Smith, would be permanently scarred from her ordeal.

Layton had admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and aggravated burglary at Cambridge Crown court and was ordered to serve at least four years of his jail as he was thought to pose a danger to the public.

On the evening of August 3 last year he subjected Janet Smith, who lived in the same road, to a frenzied attack in her home, stabbing her in the face and neck at least seven times with a three-inch kitchen knife.

Mrs Smith fought back, receiving numerous wounds to her arms and hand and a permanent scar on her cheek. After leaving her bleeding, Layton fled through the back door of the house but moments later Mrs Smith watched in horror as he turned round and began walking back to her home.

"She believed he was coming back to kill her," said Ely Det Sgt Underhill, the lead officer in the case.

"She heard him trying the back door and she ran out of the front door to a neighbour.

"There is no doubt that the fact that the victim bravely fought back in this case saved her from more serious injury. There was a point when he was stabbing her repeatedly in the head and she made that decision to fight back. She knew there was nothing else she could do."

Mrs Smith's ordeal began after she saw Layton, who lived with one of his parents close to her home in Berristead Close, Wilburton, standing on a footpath outside her house.

She went into the house and moments later found Layton standing in her back room demanding her car keys.

When she refused, he demanded her cash and credit cards. Again she refused but handed over £10 and told him there was no more money. She told him to leave or she would call the police.

He told her to get the phone and as she handed it to him he cut the wires in front of her.

Then Layton started repeatedly stabbing her.

Ds Underhill added: "There are a couple of very chilling aspects to this case, firstly that he cut the phone line in front of her prior to the attack and secondly that she watched him turn round after leaving the house and come back. We will probably never know what his intentions were. There was a suggestion that he went back to collect a rucksack but we will never be sure.

"His victim has now moved out of her house but she is getting on with her life with her family's support."

Layton never gave a reason for his actions, but during the court case his defence lawyer told the court there had been a great deal of alcohol abuse.

"Although he admitted the charges in court, he never admitted them to the police," said Ds Underhill.