A Nottingham dad who was stabbed in front of his children has spoken about the ‘physical and mental scars’ he and his family continue to suffer.
Tom Shaw was seriously injured after being attacked by a teenage knife carrier in Thorneywood on 27 October 2024.
The 49-year-old was in a coma for six days and has been in and out of hospital for further treatment over the past year.
During an interview ahead of a national week of action on knife crime, Tom spoke about what happened that day, the ongoing impact it has had on his family and his message to young knife carriers and their parents.
“I can remember parts of it vividly,” he said.
“It was the day the clocks changed and my daughter got a call that afternoon to say her brother was being followed by a group who were trying to steal his brand new bike.
“I didn’t have time to think we just got in the car. When I pulled up a group of teenagers scattered.
“I saw my teenage son and his girlfriend walking towards me and told them to go home. They were already on the phone to the police about what was happening.
“Then I heard someone shout ‘weapon’ and someone else shout ‘knife’.”
Among a group of youths gathered at the scene in Beecham Avenue was Dearnie Jones.
Dearnie Jones was locked up for nine years
Jones, whose face was partially covered, brandished a large knife before threatening and chasing several people.
He then targeted and pursued Tom.
“I saw the glint of a knife in the car’s headlights and he just seemed to hone in on me. At this point I knew I was in trouble and after circling the car he started swinging the knife at me.
“By this stage I was backed up against a fence. He thrust the knife at me and stabbed me in the stomach. I shouted out that I’d been stabbed.”
Tom knew he had to get himself and his children to safety as quickly as possible so managed to get into his car with the children.
“I was aware I had to keep pressure on the wound so did not let go of it. All I could think about was getting somewhere safe and close by, and thought of the Lidl car park in Carlton Road.
“Once we arrived I got out the car and lay down on the floor. It was then, probably a few minutes after being stabbed, that the pain really kicked in. I think the adrenaline of getting to safety had got me to that point.
“I just remember the horrific pain, blue lights everywhere and a police helicopter circling above.
“My son took his t-shirt off and wrapped it around the wound. I was pretty much out of it after that.”
Police arrived at the car park and provided first aid to Tom before he was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital.
He required emergency surgery and was in a coma for six days after the incident.
“I remember having vivid dreams about the attacker’s face and then coming round and my wife being there and looking at me.
“I was in a coma and on a feeding tube. The muscle just drops off you in that situation and a year on I still feel weak.”
Tom says his wife Stacy has been ‘phenomenal’ in stepping up to look after him and their children.
“The impact has been broad-reaching on all of us,” he said. “Physically, I don’t think I’m going to get fully better. Mentally, I try to keep what happened in a little cupboard in my head but it never fully goes away.”
Tom also has a strong message to parents whose children could be involved in knife crime.
“That machete you find under your kid’s bed or kitchen knife that keeps going missing, it is going to get used as a weapon or your child is going to get caught with it.
“If you want your children to live well, do well and stay out of trouble you need to know what they’re doing and take steps and have that conversation if you suspect they’re getting involved in the wrong circles.
“For me, it is about chastising them appropriately and nudging them in the right direction.
“If they are carrying a knife they are more at risk of getting hurt themselves, it’s a simple as that. Even if they are late teens or into their 20s, if they’re living under your roof you have a responsibility.
“I would not wish what happened to me on my worst enemy. The pain and anguish and what-ifs never go away, and the physical and mental scars are for life.”
Detectives identified Jones as a suspect and he was arrested following a manhunt involving a number of policing teams.
Jones, now aged 19, of Nottingham, denied the offence but was convicted of wounding with intent and possession of a knife in a public place following a trial.
At Nottingham Crown Court on 7 July 2025 he was sentenced to nine years in a young offender institution.
Police teams in Nottinghamshire are taking part in a national week of action on knife crime, Sceptre, which begins today (17 November) and lasts until Sunday (23 November).
Throughout the week of action, knife amnesty bins will be situated inside stations, shared services and other locations.
