An ex-soldier who was jailed for life for trying to kill his retired neighbours has died of coronavirus.
Nigel and Marjorie Gibbs from Llandudno, were lucky to survive after being stabbed repeatedly in August 2012, in an attack aimed at "teaching them a lesson".
Sean Hedley Tierney, then 66-years-old, was told he must serve a minimum of 15 years for carrying out the attack.
He had admitted attempted murder.
Tierney had been a prisoner at HMP Altcourse, and the 74-year-old was understood to have had existing health issues before contracting Covid-19.
On April 3, when his condition worsened he was discharged to Aintree Hospital, where he was isolated on a ward. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 on April 5 and passed away on April 7.
It is a matter for the coroner to determine the official cause of death. His next of kin had been informed, as well as the police and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
Mr Gibbs, who was then 66, and living in Llys Dulyn, was using a power saw outside when he was suddenly confronted by Tierney who held a knife to his face and said he was going to teach him a lesson.
Mr Gibbs was stabbed in the chest, and as he fled to a neighbour's home to get help Tierney followed and tried to stab him again.
Sean Hedley Tierney was accused of two counts of attempted murder, as he also stabbed Marjorie Gibbs.
Mrs Gibbs suffered stab wounds to her chest, abdomen and arm and was in critical care after sustaining damage to her liver.
After it Tierney left a phone message for a friend in which he told how he had “just killed those two b******s downstairs”.
The couple were rushed to the intensive care unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
John Whitwam, Managing Director, G4S Custodial and Detention Services, said: "A prisoner from HMP Altcourse passed away at Aintree Hospital on April 7 2020.
"The Prison and Probation Ombudsman has been informed, as well as his next of kin, and his family and friends remain in our thoughts at this difficult time."
