Exclusive

Isle of Wight woman locked herself in car in fear of ex with knife

The IW law courts in Newpor <i>(Image: County Press)</i>
The IW law courts in Newpor (Image: County Press)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

An Isle of Wight woman locked herself in her car in fear of her jealous on‑off boyfriend, who brandished a knife before stabbing her tyre.

Connor Williams, 30, of Leed Street, Sandown, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 21.

On May 11, he pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place and criminal damage to property.

Steven Woolfe, prosecuting, said at 12pm on May 3, 2026, Williams’ “on-off” again partner parked her car on Yarborough Road, East Cowes.

She looked to her right and noticed another car was very close, and upon further inspection saw the driver was Williams.

She locked her car doors and Williams remained in his vehicle for around 30 seconds, before getting out of the car, telling her to do the same.

She refused, shaking her head, leading Williams to walk around the car clenching a locking knife, 5.3 inches in length.

He moved it closer to the window and said “I would get out if were you”, Mr Woolfe told the court.

Court heard the woman was fearful and her body was shaking.

Williams attempted to open her car door, yanking it three times in a row.

He then crouched down to one of the tyres and it was later found with knife marks.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said Williams’ offending was “head scratching” given he had no previous convictions.

He said Williams was struggling emotionally after seeing the woman in a car with another man a matter of days on from their split and saw “red mist”.

He said his client is “absolutely shocked” by his own behaviour, expresses clear remorse and apologises to his ex-partner.

Magistrates said it was clearly a serious offence and handed him a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a two-year restraining order and ordered to pay costs, totalling £239.

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos