Gerry Anketell repeatedly stabbed Vincent Anderson in an Airbnb when the innocent victim attempted to intervene during a row over the bathroom
08:54, 01 Jun 2025Updated 08:57, 01 Jun 2025
Vincent Anderson, 62, was stabbed three times in a property on Wavertree Road
A man says that the look in the “sharp black eyes” of the stranger who tried to murder him in an Airbnb is “etched into his mind”. Gerry Anketell repeatedly stabbed Vincent Anderson after the innocent victim attempted to intervene in the dispute, which erupted when the knifeman began hammering on the bathroom door while a woman was using the facilities.
His attacker was this week labelled “potentially very volatile and wholly unpredictable” by a judge as he was locked up for more than a decade, having pleaded guilty to attempted murder. But he was spared a life sentence over the “vicious” assault, which was “launched without warning, provocation or any need whatsoever”.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday that couple Hajimohamed and Ursha Ramumathan were staying at an Airbnb on Wavertree Road in Edge Hill, which comprised of a series of private bedrooms and communal toilet and kitchen facilities, on February 17 this year. While the husband was working downstairs in a business premises within the same building, his wife went to use a first floor WC at around 8.30am.
But Henry Riding, prosecuting, described how Anketell, who was also staying at the same accommodation, “began shouting and banging on the bathroom door aggressively”. Mr Ramumathan then returned to the shared flat in order confront the 37-year-old, of no fixed address, after being alerted to the incident via a phone call from his partner.
This led to the defendant “becoming very angry and very irate”. When the victim stated that he was going to call the police, Anketell snatched his phone from him and placed both of his hands around his throat.
Mr Anderson, who had been staying in a second floor room, thereafter came downstairs and “attempted to de-escalate the situation”. But the aggressor instead turned his attentions to the 62-year-old, dragging him to a kitchen area and removing two knives from a block before repeatedly stabbing him with the weapons.
Gerry Anketell(Image: Merseyside Police)
Mr and Mrs Ramumathan were able to flee the building and dial 999 before assisting Mr Anderson with his injuries, comprising of a series of “substantial” wounds to his back, lower neck, upper arms and the back of his head which required hospital treatment. In a statement which was read to the court on his behalf, he said: “I have flashbacks of the incident. I vividly remember the sharp black eyes of my attacker. The sight is etched in my mind.
“Simple tasks such as shaving have become much more challenging. My physical limitations are a constant reminder of the attack. For weeks, I couldn’t bear to tell my family what happened. It has cast a shadow over my upcoming wedding plans, which I was in Liverpool to arrange.
“I was trying to deescalate an argument, completely unaware of the danger awaiting me. There are so many unanswered questions in my mind. Why did it happen? What could I have done differently.”
The ECHO previously reported that Mr Anderson, who is originally from Allerton but now lives in Newcastle, had been staying at the accommodation in question while finalising arrangements for his wedding at St George’s Hall and was due to check out of the premises the following day. He added: “I heard a little commotion going on, doors banging, people shouting and it woke us up. I went down to try and diffuse the situation.
“I was in my boxer shorts and I came down the stairs, where I saw a man dragging someone by the neck along the floor. I asked ‘what’s going on?’, and he let go. I was trying to tell him to calm down.
“I had only come down to see what was going on with the noise, and it escalated. When we were in the kitchen, I tried talking to him and he just pulled two knives out and started swiping at me.
“I tried to stop him with one hand but he caught me on the arm and sliced my arm, it was just a big flap. I tried to get away through the door but as I turned around he sliced the back of my head. He got my lower back as well.
“I was just in my boxer shorts. There was blood everywhere. It was really scary. You never think anything like this will happen to you. I’m a happy go lucky guy, but I’m still in shock. I can’t believe what happened.”
Anketell has a total of nine previous convictions for 14 offences, including entries for assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2005 and 2006 and a suspended in Italy in 2019 for breaching the peace and possession of a weapon. Paul Becker, defending, told the court: “The available mitigation to present is his guilty plea.
“Not many people plead guilty at a plea and trial preparation hearing to attempted murder. At the first opportunity, the defendant has assisted the court and the victims with some peace of mind for what he has done.
“I would ask your honour to give him a determinate sentence. Hopefully, the victim will make a good recovery from the serious wounds caused. I am not instructed to advance any personal mitigation.”
Anketell admitted attempted murder and assault by beating. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a navy jumper and sporting short dark hair and a moustache, he was jailed for 11 years and three months.
He will be required to serve two thirds of this term behind bars before becoming eligible for release on parole. Anketell was also handed an extended licence period of four years and given restraining orders banning him from contacting the complainants indefinitely.
Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland KC said: “You attempted to murder Vincent Anderson, who attempted to keep the peace in an argumentative fight in which you were involved. You have relevant previous convictions. The vast majority of your previous convictions are for offences of assault.
“I have no doubt at all on the facts of this case that you are potentially a very volatile and wholly unpredictable person. In attempting to murder Mr Anderson, you picked up substantial kitchen knives and, without warning, provocation or any need whatsoever, you launched a vicious attack on him.
“It has had a profound impact on him. He posed no threat to you whatsoever. These were gaping wounds. Each was caused by you, inflicted with the knives which you held quite deliberately.
“On the facts of this case, because of the level of violence you used and because of your previous convictions, I am quite satisfied that you are properly to be categorised as a dangerous offender. It is open to me to consider the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment for life. I am satisfied that this is a case that can properly be sentenced, and society can properly be protected from you, by the imposition of an extended sentence.”