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| Exeter stalker guilty of scissors attempted murder | Exeter stalker guilty of scissors attempted murder |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A man who repeatedly stabbed a woman with scissors in Exeter has been found guilty of attempted murder. | A man who repeatedly stabbed a woman with scissors in Exeter has been found guilty of attempted murder. |
| Joseph Willis, 49, from the city, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Helen Pearson, 34, but had denied attempted murder. | Joseph Willis, 49, from the city, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Helen Pearson, 34, but had denied attempted murder. |
| Helen Pearson was attacked near St Bartholomew's Cemetery, Exeter, the city's crown court was told. | Helen Pearson was attacked near St Bartholomew's Cemetery, Exeter, the city's crown court was told. |
| During the trial the prosecution said the assault followed a five-year stalking campaign of Ms Pearson. | During the trial the prosecution said the assault followed a five-year stalking campaign of Ms Pearson. |
| The jury was told she had reported 125 separate incidents to Devon and Cornwall Police regarding stalking. | The jury was told she had reported 125 separate incidents to Devon and Cornwall Police regarding stalking. |
| Her car tyres were slashed and bodywork damaged, a dead cat was left on her doorstep, graffiti was daubed around the streets near her flat and she received threatening letters. | |
| One letter said: "I want to play a game... I want to see how you would cope if you were attacked... Would you fight back? Scream? Let the game begin." | |
| Outside the court, Ms Pearson said: "Every night you go to bed and you don't know what is going to happen and you constantly live in fear. | |
| "You see that there's no way the stalking is ever going to end." | |
| She said she had considered ending her life "on many occasions". | |
| Her father, Bernard Pearson, said: "Nobody could see in the police that the level of violence was rising, rising and rising." | |
| Ms Pearson and her family are making an official complaint against the force. | |
| Outside the court, Det Insp Mike Robison said that throughout the period, police had "continued to investigate numerous incidents which were connected to her". | Outside the court, Det Insp Mike Robison said that throughout the period, police had "continued to investigate numerous incidents which were connected to her". |
| He said: "Following the attack, the force voluntarily referred this series of events to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)." | He said: "Following the attack, the force voluntarily referred this series of events to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)." |
| They have since been referred back to the force for an internal review. | They have since been referred back to the force for an internal review. |
| He added the force had taken the stalking campaign seriously. | |
| Saved by motorist | Saved by motorist |
| Willis first met Ms Pearson when they were both living in supported accommodation in Exe Street. | Willis first met Ms Pearson when they were both living in supported accommodation in Exe Street. |
| The court heard he turned against her because he thought she had stood him up on a proposed trip out to see a band. | The court heard he turned against her because he thought she had stood him up on a proposed trip out to see a band. |
| Ms Pearson was on her way to a gym when she was attacked and stabbed eight times in the back, face and neck, last October. | |
| Passers-by saw Willis drag Ms Pearson into the cemetery by the hood of her coat and lean over her as he tried to plunge the scissors into her throat. | |
| The court heard motorist Sandra Robertson saved Ms Pearson by stopping her car, running over and pushing Willis away. | The court heard motorist Sandra Robertson saved Ms Pearson by stopping her car, running over and pushing Willis away. |
| Judge Paul Darlow issued a £500 reward to Ms Robertson for bravery. | Judge Paul Darlow issued a £500 reward to Ms Robertson for bravery. |
| Adjourning sentencing for psychiatric reports, he said a lengthy term of imprisonment for Willis was "absolutely inevitable". | Adjourning sentencing for psychiatric reports, he said a lengthy term of imprisonment for Willis was "absolutely inevitable". |
| After the verdict Ms Pearson's parents Bernard and Lyn Pearson, from Crediton, said: "The events of last October have had a huge effect on us as a family, but there is also the family of Joseph Willis to consider and we understand the anguish they are no doubt suffering also." | After the verdict Ms Pearson's parents Bernard and Lyn Pearson, from Crediton, said: "The events of last October have had a huge effect on us as a family, but there is also the family of Joseph Willis to consider and we understand the anguish they are no doubt suffering also." |