Neighbours who lived near to a man who was jailed for 22 years for trying to kill a woman by slitting her throat say he was a "disaster waiting to happen".
Ian Hensworth, 63, of Hartley Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was found guilty of attempted murder at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, February 16.
Back in June 2021, Hensworth had gone up to his friend Linsey Lafferty and slashed her throat with a knife he had bought moments earlier from a local shop.
It was after an argument had erupted over his Digibox, which had been broken by Mrs Lafferty as Hensworth wanted to watch the football.
After Hensworth was jailed, his neighbours described the day last summer when police and an air ambulance descended on the quiet residential street to arrest the 63-year-old Mansfied Town fan and desperately try to save the life of the woman he referred to as his daughter.
Ron Hufton, 78, who has lived on Hartley Road for the past 11 years, was watching the football at his home when he heard the commotion outside.
"I can remember it all," he said.
"There were the same people that used to go round there all the time. I could hear shouting - it was all going off. I was trying to watch the football so I paid no attention to it.
"But the noise was getting louder, so I poked my head round to see what was happening and I saw all the police there.
"He was a disaster waiting to happen.
"He was nice enough usually, but it was a different story when he was drinking, and the people he used to have round were a nightmare.
"Everyone else round here is lovely."
Russell Wilford, who lives opposite the property where Hensworth launched the attack, said: "My lady saw him earlier that day in the shop, buying beer.
"I only spoke to him a couple of times.. They taped everything off when it happened."
Hensworth had ran from the scene and was arrested, Mrs Lafferty was rushed to hospital for a blood transfusion and emergency surgery.
She has since made a full recovery and gave evidence at Hensworth's trial, telling him in the dock she still loves him and he returned the sentiment from behind the glass screen.
Mrs Lafferty had been with friends in Hensworth's bungalow when he went straight up to her and slit her throat after taking off the cardboard packaging of the trimming knife.
He had also bought a can of beer and a nourishment drink.
Afterwards, she asked for a cigarette, but then "started choking on my own blood and felt like I was drowning", she said.
One woman, who lives on Hartley Road and wished to remain anonymous, said: "I came back from bingo and there was police everywhere.
"I didn't see it actually happening, but I saw them put the woman into the ambulance and they were treating her for a long time.
"They cordoned the whole road off pretty much. My first thought was 'what's gone off here?'
"I didn't realise it was a stabbing until later."
Meanwhile Graham Wright, who has lived on Hartley Road for the past three years, told Nottinghamshire Live: "I have heard about him being found guilty today.
"I didn't hear nothing that day and they always spoke alright to me. I try to keep myself to myself, really."
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