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“They thought I was brain dead” – Sheffield student scarred for life after violent man attacked two women just hours apart
A Sheffield man attacked two women during a night out, with one victim suffering severe facial and bodily injuries that required hospitalisation and left her with permanent scarring. A Good Samaritan intervened during the assault, preventing potentially worse harm.
Matthew Ward had been released from prison just hours before committing the attacks, having previously served time for a similar violent assault. He was arrested the same day and subsequently pleaded guilty to assault charges, receiving a 30-month prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court.
In short
- Man attacked two women in Sheffield within hours of each other in April 2026, with one victim left severely injured and permanently scarred
- Attacker had been released from prison just hours before the assaults after serving time for a previous similar violent attack
- Sentenced to 30 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to assault charges
Explained simply
Matthew Ward attacked two women during a night out in Sheffield. One victim sustained severe facial and bodily injuries that required hospitalisation and left her with permanent scarring. A member of the public intervened during one of the attacks, potentially preventing further harm.
Ward had been released from prison just hours before committing the attacks. He had previously served a prison sentence for a similar violent assault, raising serious concerns about his release and the risk he posed to the community.
Ward was arrested the same day and subsequently pleaded guilty to assault charges. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court.