Man Sentenced for Attempted Murder After Partner Loses Eye in Stabbing

Derby Crown Court was informed that a man sustained the loss of an eye after being repeatedly stabbed in the head by his partner, who was a drug addict. The violent incident, described as “spontaneous” and “explosive,” occurred on December 21, 2023, in Derby. Peter Krok, 21, and Neil Swain, approximately 60, were in a relationship. During an argument in their bedroom, Krok reportedly grabbed a knife, which was “always by the bedside” for cleaning his drug equipment, and assaulted Mr. Swain. Following a trial in July, Krok was convicted of attempted murder and subsequently sentenced on Friday to 14 years in prison. The assault on Mr. Swain took place at his residence on Fleet Street, Normanton. The incident began when Krok requested money from him. Upon Mr. Swain’s response that he possessed only £60, the defendant expressed dissatisfaction. During Krok’s sentencing, Judge Shaun Smith KC stated, “Then you simply lost it.” The judge added, “You were no doubt festering and sulking about not getting the money and went completely and utterly over-the-top.” Mr. Swain’s left eye suffered such severe damage that its removal became necessary; he now uses a temporary prosthetic and experiences difficulty driving at night due to lights. He received five distinct head wounds requiring stitches. The judge further remarked, “It is a horrific injury for a man to lose his eye.” He noted that Mr. Swain attempted to defend himself, but Krok, residing at Glengarry Way, Derby, was “stabbing him perpetually to the head” until Mr. Swain managed to seize the knife and throw it out of the window. The court was informed that, subsequent to the assault, Mr. Swain reported that the incident had impacted his relationships, as individuals consistently focused on his eye. Additionally, he experiences collisions with others in public and suffers from flashbacks. The judge concluded by stating, “What you have done is changed his life.”