A man and a woman have been sentenced to prison for a brutal premeditated attack on a man in Plymouth. Tommy McTighe, 34, and Gemma Vanstone, 35, lured their victim out of his home in March last year before launching a horrifying assault. The victim was attacked with a foot-long machete and a metal bar, suffering eight stab wounds before he managed to escape.

A passing taxi driver discovered the victim lying in a pool of blood and promptly contacted emergency services. During the trial, it was revealed that McTighe and Vanstone drove past the victim after the attack, with one of them shouting, "Is he dead yet?" This chilling detail highlighted the premeditated nature of their actions.

Both McTighe and Vanstone were convicted of Section 18 GBH wounding with intent following a trial in September, despite denying the charges. McTighe also faced charges for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, which he pleaded not guilty to, but he admitted to possessing crack cocaine. He was convicted on both counts.

On November 21, Plymouth Crown Court sentenced McTighe to nine years in prison, while Vanstone received a sentence of five-and-a-half years. The case has drawn attention to the severity of violent crime in the area and the consequences of such brutal actions.