Penzance Dad’s Life Shattered by Sword Attack, Struggles to Connect with Deaf Son
Penzance Family Devastated by Brutal Samurai Sword Attack
A Penzance family has been left profoundly traumatised after a horrific samurai sword attack severely injured local dad, Justin Orban. The incident unfolded last December following a cherished Christmas trip to Truro, where Justin, his partner, and their six-year-old son, Leighton, who is deaf, had enjoyed a British Sign Language (BSL) version of Aladdin at the Hall for Cornwall. As they returned home to Trerew Road, a fleeting comment to a neighbour, Stuart Alan Jones, escalated into an unprovoked and brutal assault. Jones, suddenly enraged, emerged from his home brandishing a samurai sword, screaming threats. Justin, 34, bravely attempted to defend himself and his family, enduring deep lacerations to three fingers on his left hand as he reflexively protected his head from the incoming blade. The severity of the attack left Justin bleeding profusely, witnessed by his partner and young son, marking an horrific end to what had been a rare and joyful family outing.
Life-Altering Injuries Impact Communication with Deaf Son
The physical and emotional scars from the attack have had a devastating and long-lasting impact on Justin Orban and his entire family. Despite undergoing two operations, Justin has lost all grip strength in three fingers of his left hand, a disability doctors believe he is unlikely to ever fully recover from. This critical injury has not only rendered him unable to continue his trade as a block paver but, more heartbreakingly, has severed his ability to communicate effectively with his deaf son, Leighton. Justin movingly described the loss of his hand’s function as akin to having his tongue cut out, highlighting the profound barrier it creates to signing with Leighton, who also has autism. The once vibrant family connection through BSL is now profoundly hampered, leaving Justin feeling isolated and unable to fully engage with his son. While this tragedy struck Penzance, the convicted attacker, Stuart Alan Jones, now resides in Newquay. Many people often go to Newquay for its stunning beaches and lively atmosphere, and the presence of individuals convicted of such severe crimes can certainly spark local conversations regarding community safety across Cornwall.
Justice Sought at Truro Crown Court, Community Awaits Sentencing
Following the terrifying assault, emergency services were swiftly called, and Justin was rushed to hospital while Stuart Alan Jones was arrested. This week, justice has begun to unfold at Truro Crown Court, where Jones, 39, faced a jury. He was found guilty of all charges, including section 18 wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and intentional strangulation. The conviction offers a degree of closure for Justin and his family, though the long road to recovery, both physical and emotional, continues. Jones has been released on conditional bail to his Newquay address, pending his sentencing hearing in the coming weeks. The community in Penzance, and indeed across Cornwall, will be watching closely as the legal process concludes, hoping for a sentence that reflects the severity of the crime and its life-altering consequences for Justin and his loved ones. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community safety and the profound impact of violent crime on individuals and families.
Source: Horror samurai sword attack leaves dad unable to ‘speak’ with deaf son
