Knife-wielding man jailed for life after frenzied knife attack on two women in front of six-month-old baby
A knife-wielding man has been jailed for life after a frenzied attack on two women at a Wandsworth property whilst a baby was present.
Tito Eleto, 30, of Radipole Road, SW6, admitted attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife following the violent incident on 4 December 2023.
The attack, which began as a doorstep conversation, quickly escalated into what police described as “carnage” when Eleto forced his way into the flat.
Officers later confronted the attacker as he attempted to flee the scene covered in blood and still armed with a knife.
The attack began when Eleto asked the victim to remove the door chain so they could speak properly.
As soon as she complied, he kicked the door open and launched an immediate assault on the woman.
The victim initially thought she was being punched, but Eleto was actually stabbing her repeatedly.
She attempted to escape by running further into the property, but Eleto pursued her whilst continuing his violent attack.
Eleto then turned his attention to the victim’s mother, who was inside the property, attempting to stab her twice in the head as she tried to help her daughter.
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He succeeded in stabbing the older woman in the armpit before returning to attack the first victim, stabbing her in the face.
The two women managed to escape to a bedroom with the six-month-old baby when Eleto began to tire, barricading themselves inside by blocking the door with a cot.
Despite their efforts, Eleto pushed through the barricade, still armed with the knife, and threatened: “Everyone in the room is going to die.”
The victims pleaded for their lives and the baby’s safety before Eleto finally left the flat.
Police officers encountered Eleto at the lift, where he was covered in blood and still brandishing the knife.
When he refused to drop the weapon, officers deployed incapacitant spray and later used a taser after he began stabbing himself.
Officers managed to overpower and arrest Eleto before he was taken to hospital for treatment.
Inside the property, police found both victims with serious injuries. The woman in her 30s had sustained deep cuts to her face, arms and neck.
The older victim, in her 60s, had suffered cuts to her arms. Both women received immediate first aid before being taken to hospital.
The six-month-old baby boy was unharmed in the incident.
Eleto was charged, remanded in custody, pleaded guilty and then appeared on Monday, 16 December at Kingston Crown Court.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 12 years for attempted murder of the victim in her 30s, five years to run concurrently for GBH with intent on the woman in her 60s and one year to run concurrently for possession of a knife.
Detective Constable Lucas Pollard said: “This was a horrific attack on two woman which began on a doorstep and escalated into a fight for their lives.”
“The women absolutely thought they were going to die – it must have been terrifying for them, not least as a six-month-old baby was also inside the property.”
DC Pollard praised neighbours who alerted police after hearing screams for help.