Woman suffered skull fractures in hatchet attack as Belfast abuser sentenced to eight years

Sentenced: 45-year-old Stephen Kennedy

Friday 09 October 2026

A Belfast man who attacked a woman with a hatchet when she tried to hide from him has been sentenced to eight years at Laganside Crown Court.

Stephen Kennedy, 45, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent aggravated by domestic abuse before his case reached trial. He was sentenced today.

The woman, who was 49 at the time of the attack, suffered skull fractures, serious wounds to her head and back, and extensive blood loss.

Woman found injured in communal area

Police were alerted on 29 February 2024 by ambulance service colleagues who were treating a woman with a serious head injury and significant lacerations to her body.

Officers immediately attended the address and found her in the ground-floor communal area of a block of flats, with puncture wounds to the back of her head and back. Kennedy was subsequently arrested and charged.

Detective Inspector Jane McCallum said:

“Kennedy is an incredibly volatile and dangerous individual. He subjected his female victim to a litany of abuse over a sustained period of time. When she tried to hide from him he has armed himself with a small hatchet and attacked her to the head and back causing serious lacerations, skull fractures and significant bruising.

“The physical injuries are horrific but as these heal, the psychological trauma the victim has suffered as a result will remain.”

Police message to victims of domestic abuse

Following the sentencing, DI McCallum urged others experiencing domestic abuse to seek police support.

She said:

“Our message is simple, you are not alone. We are here, we will listen, we will protect you, and we will stand with you in seeking the justice that every victim of domestic violence deserves.”