Stabbing victim's widow channels grief into action

"I still wake up every day with the realisation that it wasn't just a bad dream, it's real."

For Adele Cook, the impact of knife crime is an everyday reality for her and her children.

Adele's husband and father of three James Cook was stabbed to death during a night out in Newark, Nottinghamshire, in May 2025.

Earlier this month, his attacker was jailed for at least 23 years after being found guilty of murder.

A year on from the attack, Adele said the impact on her family had been "immense".

"I've got that much rage and anger inside me and I'm trying to push it down all the time and keep a lid on it because at the end of the day, violence breeds violence," she said.

"I don't want my kids to grow up in that environment of anger and hatred and revenge so I'm trying to set an example."

A trial at Nottingham Crown Court heard Brandon Byrne chased down and fatally stabbed James following an altercation at the town's Loose Cannon pub.

On 1 May, the 23-year-old, of Winston Court, Newark, was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years.

Judge Steven Coupland said Byrne had been angry and looking for revenge following the earlier fight.

Since James's death, Adele has started a new charity to raise money for bleed kits and provide educational sessions for children about the dangers of carrying a knife.

She has also worked with Newark and Sherwood District Council to bring the national Knife Angel monument to the town.

"We need to educate the children, we need to educate young adults and we need to educate parents," she said.

"Find another solution, put the knife down because it just brings nothing but misery to everybody involved.

"One altercation can change so many people's lives in that split second."

Adele said she hoped the Knife Angel made people think twice about leaving the house with a knife.

She first saw the artwork after a day in court watching footage of her husband's murder.

"I just burst into tears. I just think how many lives have been ruined just in that statue," she said.

"But it's a talking point. It gets people asking questions."

The sculpture will leave Newark on Wednesday and Adele said she would be sorry to see it leave.

"I've come down quite a few times and I find some kind of peace in it somewhere," she added.

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