‘Violent and nasty’ Sheffield woman sentenced to seven years for slashing woman with pen knife

A vicious attacker who slashed a woman’s face with a penknife in Sheffield has been jailed for seven years.

Emma Capper, 37, broke into a flat on Victoria Street where her victim was visiting friends at around 9pm on 9 December.

Detective Constable Helen Critchley, the leader of the investigation for South Yorkshire Police, said: “Capper knew her victim was at the address that day when she barged her way in and launched a brutal assault, hitting her victim in the face, slashing her with a penknife and leaving a huge wound on the side of her head.

“The victim’s friends watched horrified as they raised the alarm with the building’s security guard and called an ambulance.”

Capper was arrested several days after the assault with help from CCTV and extensive enquiries.

DC Critchley added: “Capper was known to her victim through mutual friends, but there was no apparent catalyst for the attack that night. In police interviews, Capper accused her victim of stealing her phone and claimed that her victim had started the fight.

“Evidence from witnesses and our enquiries did not support these claims and Capper was charged with wounding with intent and remanded into custody.”

Capper, who resided at the Staindrop Lodge Hotel, Sheffield, pleaded guilty at a hearing on 13 January and was sentenced to seven years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, 5 March.

Speaking after the sentencing DC Critchley said: “Capper is a violent and nasty individual who left her victim with significant facial injuries that night. I hope this substantial custodial sentence is reassuring to the victim and the wider community.”