Knife attacker found behind bin shed jailed 10 years

A 61-year-old man found by a police dog behind a bin shed has been jailed for 10 years and four months for a knife attack.

Bedfordshire Police had been searching for David Butler after he attacked a man during an argument at The Hawthorns, Flitwick, on 17 July 2025, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.

Butler was discovered that night with a bag containing a blood-stained towel, three knives and his passport.

In January, at Luton Crown Court, Butler pleaded guilty to two counts of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH), two counts of possession of a bladed article and possession of a firearm without certificate.

The victim was taken to hospital, where his condition was stabilised.

Officers searched Butler's home after his arrest and found bloodstains throughout the property, including on the washing machine door, where the clothes worn during the attack were mid-cycle.

Bedfordshire Police also found weapons, including a machete, a sawn-off shotgun and multiple cartridges.

Butler was sentenced at the same court on Wednesday to 10 years and four months in prison, with a further five years on extended licence for each count of GBH.

He was given six months for each bladed-article offence and 16 months for the firearms offence. All sentences run concurrently.

Det Con Ellie Hall said: "Butler launched a vicious and sustained violent attack on his victim, continuing his assault despite being begged to stop. He then casually walked away from the scene, leaving the victim bloodied in the street.

"Anyone capable of such remorseless actions has no place in our community and is deserving of a long custodial sentence."

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