A COURAGEOUS grandfather prevented his wife’s murder by fighting off a bloodthirsty knifeman who stormed into their house.

Kenneth Greenall suffered terrible injuries after confronting Jonathan McCann, 26, who was armed with two kitchen knives and a baseball bat.

McCann, who was last week sentenced to an indefinite sentence of 11 years for attempted murder, attacked Mr Greenall and his 65-year-old wife Barbara in their home on Norton Grove, Thatto Heath last year, following the breakdown of his relationship with their granddaughter Laura Mooney.

She had gone to live with them following her break-up.

Liverpool Crown Court was told how Mr Greenall had been in bed when he heard the desperate screams of his wife downstairs.

He saw McCann kneeling over Barbara hitting her in a stabbing motion. She warned him that McCann had a knife.

Showing great courage, he grabbed hold of McCann. He felt blood pouring down his face, as the attacker said: “Do you believe in Jesus Christ, because you’re going to die and mine will be the last face you see”.

Mr Greenall, who managed to restrain him until police arrived, suffered two deep facial stab wounds.

One stretched from his right ear to the back of his head and one was so deep that it punctured his mouth.

His wife, who still suffers psychologically from the terrifying attack, was left with a broken wrist, slashed tendons, nerves and an artery. She also suffered wounds to her chest.

Following his arrest a series of notes were discovered at his home on Cowley Hill Lane.

One read: “The devil has gripped me, but the Lord will pull me towards him.”

Another was addressed to his family, which said he was sorry for all the trouble and the “abrupt end to the family name”.

McCann, who had a previous conviction for making a bomb hoax, claimed to have no recollection of the attack.

Mr and Mrs Greenall sat in court alongside Laura, for the sentencing, as did members of McCann’s family.

Jailing him the Recorder of Liverpool Judge Henry Globe described the frenzied assault as “pre-meditated”, branding McCann “a significant threat to the public”.

He added: “I am considerably concerned about your behaviour if you were to be automatically released after 11 years. If you are released it will be on licence for the rest of your life.”

Psychological reports showed that McCann was sane but had battled depression.

McCann was jailed for ‘IRA bomb’ hoax

JONATHAN McCann’s troubled past includes a drunken hoax in which he claimed to be an IRA terrorist who had planted a 200lb bomb near a St Helens cinema.

In January 2006, he was jailed for nine months for four bomb hoaxes, which sparked high-profile police operations.

During drunken calls to police McCann, who was then a student at Huddersfield University, claimed he was from the IRA and there were bombs planted near the cinema and in the town’s Asda supermarket car park.

Top detective praises heroism of victim who fought attacker

A SENIOR detective has praised the heroism of grandfather Kenneth Greenall, who fought off an attacker 38 years his junior.

Following the sentencing senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ged Seddon, said: “This was a despicable premeditated attack on the grandparents of a loving family, whilst they relaxed in their home for the evening.

“Words cannot explain what Barbara must have felt when she was confronted by McCann.

“It is clear that Kenneth’s brave actions, with complete disregard for his own life, have saved his wife Barbara.

“I note the sentence passed by the judge and I hope that it will allow Kenneth, Barbara and their family to put some closure to this incident and move on with their lives.

“I am proud of the officers who attended this incident for their prompt and effective action and of the team of detectives who have thoroughly investigated this matter, which has resulted in a successful conclusion.”