An Ipswich restaurant worker who was obsessed with his boss and stabbed her boyfriend three times with a “Zombie” knife in a Bury St Edmunds car park has been warned he is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of attempted murder. 

Twenty-seven-year-old Alexander Cornell, of Britannia Road, Ipswich, denied attempting to murder Blazej Piortowski on July 4 last year at the Parkway car park in Bury St Edmunds but admitted  wounding him with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and having a blade in a public place.

The jury retired to consider its verdict on the attempted murder charge on Friday (January 20) and found him guilty by a 10-2 majority verdict on Monday. (January 23)

Judge Martyn Levett adjourned sentence until March 9 for a pre-sentence report in which the probation service will consider whether Cornell poses a danger to the public and specifically women.

The judge remanded Cornell in custody and warned him that he is facing a “lengthy” prison sentence.

The court heard that one of the stab wounds, which was described as “deep”, landed on Mr Piortowski’s shoulder just below his neck while two other wounds on his shoulder only caused superficial injuries.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting,  told the court that Cornell had been employed as a bartender at the Miller and Carter restaurant in Ipswich and appeared to have been “infatuated to the point of obsession” with his manager, who was in a relationship with Mr Piortowski.

Cornell had asked her out on numerous occasions but she had made it clear to him that she wasn’t interested.

He had bought her flowers, chocolates, underwear, a red dress and gym clothing, and she had also been told that he had her picture as the background on his watch.

The woman had also changed her gym three times and on each occasion, Cornell had allegedly joined them as well. 

 On the day of the stabbing, Mr Piortowski had returned to his car in a multi-storey car park after working a shift as a chef at Bill’s restaurant in Bury St Edmunds and was bending down to look at his tyres when he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder

When he turned round he saw Cornell holding a “Zombie” knife.

Cornell ran off and Mr Piortowski returned to his restaurant before going to hospital where he had sutures in the most serious wound.

The court heard that a number of weapons were found in a bag belonging to Cornell and in his bedroom after his arrest and on Monday he admitted possession of an offensive weapon in a public place in relation to these items.

Cornell chose not to give evidence during the trial.