Why is Claire Bridger in prison? Claire Bridger, aged 64, of Rossons Road, Taverham, Norwich, was jailed for three years on 7 May 2026 at Norwich Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to wounding with intent. She had stabbed her estranged husband Keith Bridger with a kitchen knife in his chest and under his arm on 17 July 2025, inflicting life-threatening injuries following an argument about their pet dogs being put down.

Who Is Claire Bridger?

Claire Bridger is a 64-year-old woman from Rossons Road, Taverham, a village on the outskirts of Norwich, in Norfolk. She is the wife of Keith Bridger, from whom she had separated at the time of the offence. The pair had been married and the breakdown of their relationship, including a dispute over the fate of their pet dogs, formed the background to the events of 17 July 2025.

Bridger had no significant public profile before the case came to court. She appeared at Norwich Crown Court on 7 May 2026 having previously entered a guilty plea to wounding with intent. At an earlier hearing she had been found not guilty of the more serious charge of attempted murder of her husband and not guilty of possession of a blade in a public place. The case attracted attention because of the circumstances of the attack and the severity of the injuries inflicted.

What Happened on 17 July 2025?

On the evening of 17 July 2025, at around 9:18pm, Claire Bridger drove to The Street in Bramerton, the address where her estranged husband Keith Bridger was staying following their separation. Keith Bridger told the court that his wife had initially seemed calm and normal when she arrived. The conversation began with a request about mediation, with Bridger asking if her husband would pay for an upcoming session. He agreed and turned to walk away.

As he walked away, Bridger demanded to know where her dogs were. Keith explained that she had already been informed by the vet and that the dogs had been put down. At that point, the court heard that Bridger’s demeanour changed dramatically. She became hysterical, drove her car onto the driveway, and sounded the horn repeatedly while shouting that her husband had killed her dogs.

Keith Bridger stood in front of the car as it moved slowly forward until it made contact with him. He stated that he did not believe she was trying to run him over, but the vehicle did touch him. Bridger then threw open the car door and her husband became aware she was holding a knife. In what he described as a single movement, she came at him and the knife went into him. He cried out that she had stabbed him, to which she replied with words confirming she intended to do so again. The pair ended up on the ground. She also bit him on the right thigh, his thumb, his arm and his left shoulder before a neighbour intervened and took the knife from her.

The Injuries to Keith Bridger

Keith Bridger was stabbed with a kitchen knife in his chest and under his arm. Norfolk Police confirmed that Air Ambulance paramedics who attended the scene told officers that the injuries to Mr Bridger were life-threatening. He was treated for his injuries and survived, though the physical and emotional toll of the attack was significant.

At sentencing, DC Cameron Brown of Norfolk Constabulary said: “Mr Bridger suffered extremely serious injuries after being repeatedly stabbed. This was an incredibly traumatic ordeal for him, and despite everything he has faced, Mr Bridger has shown extraordinary strength and courage throughout his recovery.” Keith Bridger participated in the court proceedings and gave evidence about the events of that night, demonstrating considerable resilience given the nature of what he experienced.

Charges, Pleas and Verdict

Following her arrest, Claire Bridger was charged with three offences: attempted murder of her husband, wounding with intent, and possession of a blade in a public place. At an earlier hearing before Norwich Crown Court, she was found not guilty of the attempted murder charge and not guilty of possession of a blade in a public place. The jury’s decision to acquit her of attempted murder indicates that it was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Bridger had the specific intent to kill her husband, which is the required mental element for attempted murder.

However, Bridger had entered a guilty plea to the charge of wounding with intent, which is an offence under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Wounding with intent requires proof that the defendant wounded or caused grievous bodily harm with intent to do so or to resist lawful arrest. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of intentional wounding. By pleading guilty to this charge, Bridger accepted that she had intentionally stabbed her husband.

Sentencing

On 7 May 2026, Claire Bridger appeared at Norwich Crown Court and was sentenced to three years in prison. The sentence reflects the guilty plea, the gravity of the injuries inflicted, the premeditated element of bringing a knife to the scene, and the domestic context of the attack. The court heard the victim impact evidence and the background to the relationship before imposing the sentence.

The sentence of three years means Bridger will be eligible to be considered for release at the halfway point, subject to licence conditions, in accordance with standard release provisions. A sentence of this length is consistent with the sentencing guidelines for wounding with intent, particularly where mitigating factors such as an early guilty plea are taken into account.

If someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, help is available. If you have a family member in custody, our guides on how to book a prison visit and how to send money to a prisoner may be useful. You can also find out more about the Parole Board UK and how early release decisions are made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Claire Bridger in prison?

Claire Bridger is in prison because she pleaded guilty to wounding with intent after stabbing her estranged husband Keith Bridger with a kitchen knife on 17 July 2025. She stabbed him in the chest and under his arm following an argument about their pet dogs being put down, inflicting life-threatening injuries. She was sentenced to three years in prison at Norwich Crown Court on 7 May 2026.

What did Claire Bridger plead guilty to?

Claire Bridger pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, an offence under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. She was found not guilty of the more serious charge of attempted murder of her husband, and not guilty of possession of a blade in a public place, at an earlier hearing.

How long is Claire Bridger’s prison sentence?

Claire Bridger was sentenced to three years in prison on 7 May 2026 at Norwich Crown Court. She will be eligible for consideration for release at the halfway point of her sentence, subject to licence conditions.

What was the argument between Claire and Keith Bridger about?

The argument that preceded the attack related to the couple’s pet dogs. The court heard that the dogs had been put down by a vet and Keith Bridger confirmed this to Claire when she demanded to know where the dogs were. The news of the dogs being put down triggered a dramatic change in her behaviour, leading to the attack that followed moments later.

What is wounding with intent in UK law?

Wounding with intent is an offence under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. It involves wounding or causing grievous bodily harm to another person with the intention of doing so or of resisting lawful arrest. It is one of the most serious assault-related offences and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. It is distinct from attempted murder, which requires the additional element of intent to kill rather than simply intent to cause serious injury.