Preston, England — A brutal act of violence shook this northwestern city late last year when 46-year-old Aiden Bernes was arrested after attempting to murder a woman he had recently met. The incident culminated in a severe attack inside the victim’s home on December 11, 2023, which the authorities described as a horrifying and deliberate act.
The victim, a 51-year-old woman whose name has been withheld for privacy reasons, sought help at a nearby Chinese takeaway around 10:45 p.m., wearing heavily blood-stained clothing and a loop of heavy tape around her neck, signaling the severity of her ordeal.
Despite her visible distress and difficulty breathing, the woman was able to inform the police about the attack and identify Bernes as her assailant. She recounted how their short acquaintance turned nightmarish when Bernes moved into her home shortly after they met and eventually took control over her daily life.
According to the victim, the attack lasted about 30 minutes, during which Bernes strangled, suffocated, and even rendered her unconscious using a claw hammer. Chillingly, he revealed to her during the assault that he had been fantasizing about killing her.
Upon regaining consciousness and finding herself alone, the woman seized the moment to escape. She climbed out of her living room window and rushed to the takeaway for help. Bernes was arrested shortly after at her residence, where police seized the claw hammer among other evidence of the violence.
In the subsequent investigation, Bernes offered no explanation for his actions and remained silent during the police interviews. However, faced with the overwhelming evidence compiled by the Crown Prosecution Service and Lancashire Police, Bernes pleaded guilty to attempted murder on March 14, 2024.
On July 12, the court handed down a 22-year prison sentence to Bernes, which also includes an extended license period of five years following his potential release.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Paul Robinson commented on the case, highlighting the extreme nature of Bernes’ violence and the terror inflicted upon the victim. “The ordeal was made even more harrowing as the perpetrator articulated his gruesome fantasies during the attack,” Robinson stated. He praised the survivor’s courage in fleeing and seeking help, which ultimately led to a swift arrest and prosecution.
Robinson also emphasized the broader societal implications of the case, stating, “Violence against women and girls has no place in our society. Following today’s sentence, we hope the victim can begin to rebuild her life with a sense of safety and closure.”
The case has prompted discussions within the community and beyond about the importance of swift and effective legal responses to intimate partner violence, as well as the need for comprehensive support systems for survivors of such traumatic episodes.