Doncaster ‘dangerous man’ who attacked a woman with an axe leaving her with life threatening injuries pleads guilty

Anthony McDonald, aged 56, of Ascot Avenue, Cantley, Doncaster was charged with attempted murder and remanded into custody following the incident on Wednesday 3 April. Appearing at court last week, admitting what he had done McDonald pleaded guilty to the offence.

On Wednesday 3 April, at approximately 5.25pm, police began receiving multiple reports from concerned members of the public that a woman was being attacked in the street with an axe by McDonald.

In a targeted attack McDonald had waited for the woman outside of her place of work. As she left work, he began following her to her car before attacking her with the axe causing life threatening injuries to both her arm and head before he fled the scene in the direction of Wressle.

Upon arrival at the scene, despite her injuries, the woman was able to name her attacker to emergency services as McDonald before she was conveyed to hospital by air ambulance to receive lifesaving surgery.

Having fled the scene in his vehicle, McDonald rang his partner, told them that he had committed murder and had stabbed a woman to death, and following this was going to now attempt to take his own life.

A large-scale search continued with the officers, dogs, and helicopters in a bid to locate McDonald and at around 9.10pm he was arrested on suspicion of murder and the axe was located inside McDonald’s jacket.

The woman remains in hospital continuing to receive treatment whilst she recovers from her injuries.

Following his guilty plea at Hull Crown Court last week, McDonald has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at back at court on Friday 19 April.

Detective Inspector Mark Skelton said: “McDonald is a ‘dangerous’ individual who subjected an innocent woman to a horrific and unimaginable attack which subsequently left her fighting for her life in hospital.

“Whilst I am pleased he is now behind bars being punished and has admitted to his deplorable actions, it doesn’t take away the trauma and pain the woman will continue to face on a daily basis as she tries to navigate through life on what will be a long journey of recovery.

“Violence crime will never be tolerated within our communities and will do everything we can to seek justice for victims to ensure our residents feel safe and criminals are punished.”

If you have any information about crime in your area, please report it via the non-emergency 101 line or by speaking to officers whilst they are out and about. Always call 999 in an emergency or if there is a crime ongoing.

If you would prefer to report information anonymously you can do so via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.