A view of a crossbow, found in the possession of Stephen Carr. (Image: Copyright remains with handout provider)
A man who launched a “terrifying and frenzied” attack on his wife with a bow and arrow, before stabbing her six times, has been jailed for 20 years.
Stephen Carr, 57, had an argument with his wife Lorna on September 8 last year, sparked by the stress of caring for his elderly mother, who lived with them. The row escalated, and Carr used a compound bow to fire metal-tipped arrows at his wife, before stabbing her with a kitchen knife while she was on the phone to emergency services.
The brutal attack was partly captured on cameras installed at the couple’s home in Strensall, North Yorkshire, intended to aid in the care of Carr’s mother. Carr denied intending to murder his wife, claiming he “blacked out”, but a jury found him guilty of attempted murder after a trial at Leeds Crown Court last month.
Firm sentencing
During sentencing, Judge Simon Phillips told Carr: “During the course of the trial, the jury heard, and to some extent saw, clear evidence that you were intent on killing your wife Lorna.
“Your anger towards your wife escalated that Sunday night. She tried unsuccessfully to calm you down. At 10.23 that night, without uttering a warning, you fired an arrow from your bow at your wife when she was standing outside by the kitchen door.”, reports the Mirror.
Bodyworn video issued by North Yorkshire Police of Stephen Carr in the back of a police van. Stephen Carr has been jailed for 20 years, after trying to murder his wife in a “terrifying and frenzied” attack using a bow and arrow. Stephen Carr took a compound bow he had previously used in target archery competitions to shoot metal arrowheads at his wife Lorna before stabbing her six times with a kitchen knife whilst she was on the phone with emergency services, the court was told. Issue date: Wednesday July 2, 2025. (Image: PA Media)
Heavy and powerful bow
The court was informed that the bow was a “heavy and powerful compound bow” capable of launching metal arrows at a speed of 270 feet per second, which “could cause serious injuries and even death” if used against a person.
Mrs Carr narrowly escaped the arrow by closing the door, with the arrowhead lodging itself in it just moments after she had been standing in the doorway. She then cautioned her husband: “You’re going to be done for murder”, to which he replied: “Yes”, the judge told the court.
In an effort to stop the defendant from using the bow again, Mrs Carr attempted to cut the strings with a kitchen knife. “You threatened to ‘go mental’ if she did that,” Judge Phillips addressed the defendant.
Stephen Carr in custody (Image: Copyright remains with handout provider)
Reloaded bow
“You had reloaded your bow and aimed it at her and she says: ‘Do you want murder and blood on your hands?
The defendant then pursued Mrs Carr into the house where she had sought refuge, struck her in the face with the bow, and proclaimed “You are dying tonight”, as per the court proceedings.
Mrs Carr then made a 999 call from the bedroom where the defendant had trapped her.
The judge stated: “During the course of that call, you have aimed the bow at her to shoot her with it. You fired a second, then a third arrow at her as she crouched in the corner of the bedroom, cowering in fear at the side of the bed.”
In a chilling 999 call, Mrs Carr was heard begging for her life as she was brutally attacked by her husband with a kitchen knife, pleading: “He’s got a bow, he’s got a compound bow… Don’t kill me Steve please. Do not kill me you c***.
Begged for life
“Please! Think of your mum”, she said, according to a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson.
Earlier that evening, footage from a kitchen camera showed Carr ominously examining a knife, in what the prosecution argued was a moment of premeditation.
The judge described the incident as “a terrifying, frenzied and sustained attack.”
Carr retreated to his garden shed after the stabbing spree, where he was later arrested by police, while his wife received urgent medical care for multiple wounds and bruising.
Despite suffering 10 wounds, including six stab wounds to her upper back, Mrs Carr was released from hospital after three days and has made a full recovery, the court was told. Carr sent a remorseful WhatsApp message following the assault, which read: “I’m glad I didn’t do what I wanted to do. I did say you were pushing me too far. My bad sorry.”
Stephen Carr brandishing a bow. (Image: PA Media)
Black out claim
Carr claimed during his trial that he had “blacked out” during the attack and alleged that his wife was “controlling him”, as reported by a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson.
Gulam Ahmed, the defence barrister for Carr, made a case to the court by pointing out that his client had no history of abusive or violent behaviour towards his wife prior to the assault. He told the judge: “For a short period Mr Carr certainly lost it, and it is without the background of any abuse, without the background of any violence. This was out of character and a one-off.”
The hearing revealed that Carr had consumed a significant amount of alcohol during the incident, downing an entire litre bottle of vodka, which the judge acknowledged as a factor in the attack’s brutality. The judge conveyed to Carr: “I do not consider a life sentence necessary – but I find that the imposition of an extended sentence is necessary having regard to the circumstances in this case.
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Extended imprisonment
Carr received a sentence of 17 years imprisonment with an additional three-year extended licence, making a total of 20 years under custody.
Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Sygrove from North Yorkshire Police commented: “It’s hard to imagine the terror the victim felt being shot at with a bow and arrows, then set on with a knife by her own husband. “
He added: “This was also a harrowing incident for our officers and control room staff who responded to the 999 call, and their professionalism ensured Carr was promptly located and arrested before anything further could happen.”
He further stated: “Domestic violence takes many forms – the fact Carr has ultimately been jailed for attempted murder underlines just how serious incidents can be.”