Soldier Who Attacked Love Rival Convicted Of Attempted Murder

A soldier who tried to kill his friend and comrade has been convicted of attempted murder. 

The attack happened after John Watson found out his victim was having a relationship with his ex-wife.

The court heard Watson, from Pirbright Army Training Centre, launched a planned attacked on Private James Dicks, who was formerly a Trooper in the Household Cavalry, in May last year. 

Watson ambushed Pt Dicks as he left the home of his ex-wife and bundled him into a car.

According to the Daily Mail newspaper he then 'wrapped his head in Clingfilm' and when police arrived the pair were fighting on the ground.  

The men had become friends when they both based at Combermere Barracks, Windsor, but they fell out when Dicks began a relationship with Watson's ex-wife, Lynsey.  

The victim sustained a number of injuries, including two stab wounds and damage to a tendon in his finger.

A jury unanimously found Watson guilty at Reading Crown Court. 

He had previously been found guilty of one count of kidnap, in connection with the incident at a previous trial, which concluded on 24 October at Reading Crown Court.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Lyndsey Shaw, from Maidenhead Force CID, said:

"This was a callous and premeditated act of the part of John Watson, which he had been planning for a number of days prior to the incident on 4 May 2016. Fortunately, the victim did not suffer any long lasting injury and physically he has been able to move on from this ordeal."

Watson is due to be sentenced at the same court on 9 February.

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