A 38-year-old man who attempted to kill two women during a violent knife attack in Rhyl has been jailed.
Matthew Macmillan, of Meredith Crescent, Rhyl, appeared for sentencing at Mold Crown Court earlier today (Monday, 12 January).
He was charged with two counts of attempted murder in relation to an incident that occurred on the morning of Thursday, 3 July 2025.
Macmillan was quickly arrested by responding officers, following reports of a disturbance at an address on Meredith Crescent.
Upon arrival, officers found two female victims with severe injuries after Macmillan had attacked them with a knife.
His first victim, an 82-year-old woman, was forced to flee her home after Macmillan repeatedly stabbed her and punched her to the head and face.
She sought help at a neighbouring property occupied by a 47-year-old woman, who had opened the door to her elderly neighbour.
Macmillan forced entry into the property and slammed the younger woman to the floor, stabbing her multiple times with a knife, as well as beating and throttling her.
During the attack, Macmillan repeatedly told his victim that she was ‘going to die’.
The assault was only halted by the intervention of responding police officers, who tasered Macmillan before detaining him.
The 47-year-old woman suffered serious injuries, which included multiple stab wounds to her face and body, a punctured lung, and fractures to her ribs and shoulder.
As a result of Macmillan’s initial attack, the elderly woman sustained multiple head injuries, and wounds to her arms, hands and shoulders.
Both women required urgent medical treatment and were taken to hospital immediately.
Officers at the scene subsequently recovered two blood-stained knives; both of which had been used by Macmillan.
It was noted that one of the knife handles had broken off due to the ferocity of the attack on the second victim.
At an earlier hearing on 12 November, Macmillan entered guilty pleas both attempted murder charges.
Today, he was handed an extended sentence of 30 years in prison, with a minimum tariff of 25 years.
Detective Constable Catherine Farrington said: “This was a savage, frenzied and unprovoked attack on two innocent women inside their own homes.
“Macmillan’s intent to inflict grievous harm to both victims was clear in this deplorable act of violence.
“The court’s sentence rightly reflects the gravity of the harm and distress he caused, and the enduring trauma suffered by the victims.”
DCI Simon Kneale stated: “I commend the bravery of the victims in working with officers to provide a thorough and detailed account of what transpired during this incident.
“We are proud of the swift and decisive response by our officers who intervened to halt the attack, detain the suspect, and in doing so likely saved the victims’ lives.
“Their professionalism and courage ensured that further harm was prevented.
“Our thoughts remain with the two women and their families as they continue their recovery.”
DC Farrington added: “We hope this sentence provides them with a measure of justice and reassurance.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the public and to bring offenders who commit such serious violence before the courts.”
