Market Inn stabbing: Son describes seeing dad and thinking he was dead

Damon Benbow was stabbed in a random and unprovoked attack by crazed knifeman Harry Goodwin outside the Market Inn on August 21, 2021.

The 52-year-old’s lung was punctured in the vicious attack after 27-year-old Goodwin told the victim he was going to ‘gut him’.

Emergency services responded quickly after Damon banged on the door of the Market Inn for help just after 1.30am that morning.

READ MORE: The Market Inn punter saved by rib in unprovoked stabbing

Here, he was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital where he stayed for four days.

Before this, however, Damon’s son Bradley rushed to Market Inn to come to his dad’s aid.

He described the heart-pounding moment he thought his father had passed away.

Speaking exclusively to the News, he said: “I was actually asleep, my mum knocked on my bedroom door and said we need to go your dad because he’s been attacked.

Damon Benbow being treated by a paramedic

“I left my mum and my partner at my house because I said to her ‘I don't know what I'm walking into, I could get there and my dad could be dead’.

“I remember getting there and the police were stood outside and they weren't actually going to let me in.

“I basically forced my way through and said ‘this is my dad, I'm going in’.

“I went in, I see him sat at the bar on a chair facing away from me like slouched over with a police officer with her arms wrapped around him.

“And I really thought to myself ‘he’s dead’.

“He looked up and was like ‘you alright?’

“I said: ‘Are you asking me? I should be asking you!’”

Harry Goodwin was told his prison term at Reading Crown Court on Friday, March 25, seven months after Damon was attacked.

READ MORE: Sentencing of knifeman Harry Goodwin delayed

His sentencing had been adjourned three times previously after a judge requested more information about the offender.

Asked what impact this had on Damon and his family, Bradley said: “It was upsetting more than anything because, my dad, ever since this has happened, has been a very stressed out person.

“[On each day of sentencing] We thought today's the day that we can finally move on.

“And then we heard it’s been adjourned and we’ve got to put up with this for a bit longer.”

Market Inn via Google

Goodwin was handed an 11.5 year prison sentence at Reading Crown Court.

However, seven years will be served in custody, with the remaining four to be served out on licence subject to a parole board agreement.

This sentence was passed down not only for the stabbing, but also for an incident in Surrey in July 2021.

Reading Crown Court heard how Goodwin had stormed into a rowing club in Walton with a knife just a month prior to his attack at Market Inn.

After assaulting two club members, the knife was snatched from him and he was told he could have it back if he left the premises.

READ MORE: Knifeman Harry Goodwin jailed over stabbing

Damon Benbow's injury

He did so and the club members returned the knife.

The Rambo-style blade was the same one he used to attack Damon Benbow.

Reacting to the sentencing result, Bradley said: “Seeing what he’s done previously, I don’t think it’s long enough.

“He's obviously intended to harm people before.

“Therefore, he shouldn't be walking the streets within the next 15 years, let alone within the next seven.

“Friday, we heard the result and it was like a burden being lifted. But there's more of a backstory and I don't think it’s any better now knowing he’s done things like this before and he's only going to go away for that amount of time.”