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Eric Da Silva-Soares, 29, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for a violent knife attack in Dartford town centre that left three people injured, two critically. The attack, which occurred on August 31, 2024, was fueled by the assailant’s unrequited infatuation with a woman in her 20s.
Eric Da Silva-Soares – Kent Police image
Woolwich Crown Court heard that Da Silva-Soares, from Erith, London, ambushed the woman, her partner, and a friend in Spital Street, Dartford and armed with a knife, he inflicted severe stab wounds, targeting the woman’s abdomen and arm, and then repeatedly stabbing her partner, including in the face, after he intervened. A third victim, a friend of the couple, was also stabbed in the back while attempting to stop the assault.
The victims managed to escape to a nearby fast food restaurant, where staff locked the doors, preventing their attacker from further violence. All three victims were hospitalized with serious injuries, with the woman’s partner sustaining life-changing wounds.
Following the attack, Da Silva-Soares fled the scene attempting to evade capture and on September 1, he sent a text message to his female victim admitting his actions were “unforgivable”.
His escape attempt was thwarted the following day when Kent Police detectives, acting on intelligence, directed officers at Edinburgh Airport where they detained him as he attempted to board a flight out of the country.
Da Silva-Soares pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and unlawful wounding and on Friday, March 7, 2025, he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 years and 10 months before being eligible for parole.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Emma Lawry, said:
‘This was an appalling, unprovoked assault on three young people enjoying a night out in Dartford. Da Silva-Soares came to the town armed with a knife, intent on violence, and inflicted shocking injuries.
‘The impact of the assaults will have a long-lasting effect on the victims. The two men who tried to tackle Da Silva-Soares showed immense bravery and all three victims should be commended for their courage whilst assisting our investigation. Da Silva-Soares has shown himself to be a very dangerous individual and it is only right that he is now starting a lengthy prison sentence.’