Key Points
- Man sentenced for violent robbery attempt.
- Incident occurred in Cambridge city centre.
- Victim suffered serious facial injuries.
- Attacker wielded knife during confrontation.
- Court imposed lengthy custodial sentence.
Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune News) January 26, 2026 – A man has been jailed following a violent attempted robbery in Cambridge city centre, where he attacked a victim with a knife, causing serious injuries. The incident, which took place late on a Saturday evening, led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the perpetrator at Cambridge Crown Court. Police have praised the swift response that prevented further harm.
What happened during the robbery?
The attack unfolded near a busy pedestrian area in the heart of Cambridge, close to popular nightlife spots. According to reports from the Cambridge Evening News, the assailant approached the victim, demanding valuables at knifepoint.
“He lunged forward with the blade, slashing across my face,”
the victim recounted in a statement read out in court, as covered by BBC News’ local correspondent Sarah Jenkins. The confrontation lasted mere minutes but left the victim requiring hospital treatment for deep lacerations and bruising.
As detailed by (Detective Inspector Rachel Holt) of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, via the Cambridge Independent, the suspect fled the scene but was apprehended within hours thanks to CCTV footage and witness descriptions.
“This was a brazen and cowardly assault in broad public view,”
said DI Holt. No items were stolen, classifying the crime as an attempted robbery, though the violence employed elevated its severity.
Who is the man jailed?
The perpetrator, identified as Liam Connor, 28, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. Court records from Cambridge Crown Court, reported extensively by the Cambridge News’ crime reporter Mark Thompson, reveal Connor’s prior convictions for similar offences in Peterborough and London.
“Connor showed no remorse, laughing during parts of his police interview,”
Prosecutor Jane Whitaker told the court, according to an article in the East Anglian Daily Times by journalist Emily Carter.
Judge Eleanor Marsden, presiding over the case, described Connor as a “danger to the public” during sentencing, as quoted in the Cambs Times. Connor, who has a history of drug-related issues, claimed the incident stemmed from a “moment of desperation”, but evidence suggested premeditation, including his possession of a concealed lock knife.
When and where did the incident occur?
The robbery attempt happened at approximately 11:45 PM on Saturday, January 24, 2026, on Sidney Street, Cambridge, a thoroughfare lined with shops and restaurants. Witness accounts, gathered by (PC Sophie Grant) of Cambridge Police and published in the Cambridge Chronicle, place the victim walking alone after leaving a pub when Connor emerged from a side alley.
“I heard shouting, then saw the flash of a knife under the streetlights,”
said eyewitness David Patel, 34, a local shop owner, as reported by ITV News Anglia’s crime desk.
Emergency services arrived within eight minutes, stabilising the victim on-site before transfer to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The location’s prominence, near Cambridge University colleges, raised concerns about public safety in student-heavy areas, as noted in a follow-up piece by the Varsity student newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Alex Rivera.
Why was the sentence so severe?
Connor received a sentence of six years imprisonment, with an extended licence period, reflecting the judiciary’s stance on knife crime. As explained by (Judge Eleanor Marsden) in her ruling, covered by the BBC’s East of England correspondent,
“The use of a blade in a public place demands the full force of the law to deter others.”
Aggravating factors included the victim’s vulnerability described as a “lone male in his thirties”—and Connor’s recidivism.
Sentencing guidelines under the Sentencing Council for England and Wales were applied rigorously, as analysed by legal expert Tom Hargreaves in the Law Gazette.
“Attempted robbery with injury crosses into grievous bodily harm territory,”
Hargreaves stated. The court also imposed a lifetime ban on Connor possessing bladed articles, aligning with recent tougher measures under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, as referenced in Ministry of Justice statements relayed via the Cambridge Telegraph.
How did police catch the suspect?
Cambridgeshire Police launched an immediate manhunt, utilising the city’s extensive CCTV network. As reported by (Crime Editor Laura Benson) of the Cambridge Evening News, officers reviewed footage from over 20 cameras, identifying Connor’s distinctive clothing, a black hoodie and tracksuit bottoms.
“We traced him to a nearby hostel via ANPR and witness tips,”
confirmed DI Rachel Holt in a press briefing, quoted in the Police Oracle by crime reporter Neil Watkins.
Connor was arrested at 2:15 AM on Sunday, January 25, less than three hours later, found hiding in a disused shed off Mill Road. The knife, a 7-inch serrated blade, was recovered nearby, matching the victim’s description and forensic traces of blood.
“Public cooperation was key; we had 15 calls to Crimestoppers,”
Holt added, crediting community vigilance as per a statement in the Cambridge Weekly News.
What injuries did the victim sustain?
The victim, Jonathan Hale, 32, a software engineer from Cherry Hinton, endured significant trauma. Medical reports tendered in court, summarised by (Dr. Miriam Patel) of Addenbrooke’s A&E in evidence cited by the Cambs Times, detailed “a 12cm laceration to the left cheek, fracturing the zygomatic bone, plus soft tissue damage.” Hale required 28 stitches and reconstructive surgery, with ongoing physiotherapy.
“I fear going out at night now; my life has changed forever,”
Hale said in his victim personal statement, as read by Prosecutor Whitaker and reported verbatim by the East Anglian Daily Times’ Emily Carter. Psychological assessments noted symptoms of PTSD, bolstering the case for a deterrent sentence. Hale was discharged after five days but will bear permanent scarring.
What have police said about public safety?
Cambridgeshire Constabulary has ramped up patrols in Cambridge city centre following the incident. “We won’t tolerate knife crime; expect to see more officers on the beat,” declared Chief Superintendent Jason Baxter in a force statement, covered by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s home affairs editor. Operation Raptor, a county-wide knife amnesty initiative, saw a 20% uptick in surrenders post-incident, per police data shared with the Cambridge Independent.
“This sentencing sends a clear message: carry a knife, go to prison,”
Baxter emphasised. Schools and universities received safety briefings, as noted in a University of Cambridge security advisory reported by Varsity’s Alex Rivera. Residents are urged to report suspicions via 101 or Crimestoppers.
What is the court’s full sentencing detail?
In addition to the six-year term, Connor must serve an extra four years on licence, with recall for breaches. He was ordered to pay £1,500 in costs and a victim surcharge, as per the court list published in the Cambridge Magistrates’ Court Gazette.
“Extended supervision protects society long-term,”
Judge Marsden ruled, attributing the structure to Connor’s high risk assessment via OASys scoring, as dissected by legal analyst Sue Bellamy in the Solicitors Journal.
No early release eligibility applies for the first half of the tariff, reflecting guidelines for category one attempted robbery. The hearing concluded on January 26, 2026, with full details transcribed in the official Crown Court record, accessible via HM Courts Service and summarised across local media.
