Jake Joe Bamber is in prison serving a 22-year, four-month custodial sentence — extended to 27 years and four months in total when an additional five-year licence period is included — after being convicted of the attempted murder of his ex-partner in York. He hid inside her home and stabbed her 22 times in front of her young children on 10 January 2026. He was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on 10 April 2026.
Who Is Jake Joe Bamber?
Jake Joe Bamber, 35 at the time of sentencing, was a man of no fixed address linked to the York area. He is not related to Jeremy Bamber, the notorious murderer who killed five members of his family in 1985. Jake Joe Bamber had a prior criminal history relevant to his relationship with the victim, which included stalking and controlling behaviour. Despite known risks, he was on bail at the time of the attack, a fact that has prompted an investigation into the actions of the relevant police force.
What Happened on 10 January 2026?
At 5:49 pm on 10 January 2026, a 999 call was made reporting that a woman had been stabbed multiple times at an address on Lindley Road in York. Bamber had broken into his ex-partner’s home armed with knives and hidden himself in a cupboard. When she entered the room, he leapt out and launched a ferocious attack, stabbing her 22 times. The attack was so sustained that the knives broke during the assault. Bamber then went to the kitchen, re-armed himself with further knives, and continued attacking the woman before eventually fleeing the scene. Her young children were present in the property and witnessed the attack.
The victim survived but suffered severe injuries. Emergency services attended and she received hospital treatment. Bamber was later located and arrested.
Background: Stalking and Controlling Behaviour
Court proceedings revealed that Bamber had subjected the victim to a sustained campaign of stalking and coercive and controlling behaviour prior to the attack. He had monitored her movements, sought to isolate her, and had previously engaged in threatening conduct. The attack on Lindley Road was not an impulsive act but the culmination of a deliberate and calculated pattern of behaviour. Bamber pleaded guilty on 18 February 2026 at Leeds Crown Court to the attempted murder charge, as well as to possession of a knife in a public place, controlling and coercive behaviour, and stalking. His guilty plea was entered relatively early in proceedings.
Police Failure: On Bail at the Time
One of the most significant aspects of the case is that Bamber was on bail at the time he committed the attack. Concerns about his behaviour and risk to the victim had apparently been known to police prior to January 2026. The relevant police force has been placed under investigation over the handling of the case prior to the attack, with questions raised about why sufficient protective measures were not in place to prevent access to the victim. The investigation remains ongoing. If you have concerns about a loved one’s safety while in contact with offenders or the criminal justice system, our guide on contacting someone in custody may be useful.
What Sentence Did He Receive?
Bamber was sentenced on 10 April 2026 at Leeds Crown Court. He received 22 years and four months in custody, with an additional five-year extended licence period, making a total extended sentence of 27 years and four months. The extended licence means he will be subject to supervision and recall conditions for a significant period after his eventual release. Given the violence involved, the presence of children, the premeditation shown by hiding in the property, and the prior history of stalking and control, the sentence reflected the judge’s view of the extreme danger Bamber poses. He will serve his sentence in the male estate; for information on the prison system, see our guide on sending money to a prisoner. Further details on release and parole eligibility can be found in our UK parole board guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jake Joe Bamber do to go to prison?
Jake Joe Bamber broke into his ex-partner’s home in York, hid in a cupboard, and stabbed her 22 times in front of her young children on 10 January 2026. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder, possession of a knife, coercive and controlling behaviour, and stalking.
How long is Jake Joe Bamber’s prison sentence?
He received 22 years and four months in custody, extended to a total of 27 years and four months when the five-year extended licence period is included. He will be subject to supervision upon release.
Was Jake Joe Bamber on bail when he attacked his ex-partner?
Yes. Bamber was on bail at the time of the attack on 10 January 2026. This has prompted an investigation into the relevant police force over their handling of the risk he posed to the victim before the attack took place.
Is Jake Joe Bamber related to Jeremy Bamber?
No. Jake Joe Bamber is not related to Jeremy Bamber, the man convicted of the White House Farm murders in 1985. The shared surname is a coincidence.
When was Jake Joe Bamber sentenced?
He was sentenced on 10 April 2026 at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty on 18 February 2026 to attempted murder and related offences.
