Man Jailed for 13 Years After Stalking and Stabbing Couple in Manchester
A London man who stalked and brutally attacked his ex-girlfriend and her new partner in Manchester City Centre has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Viet Tran (born January 5, 2003), of Leigh Crescent, Croydon, was convicted of Section 18 and Section 20 assault after a premeditated act of domestic violence in the early hours of Sunday, August 4, 2024.
Investigators revealed that Tran, a Vietnamese national, had become obsessed with his former partner following their breakup. He paid someone on the dark web to hack her phone, allowing him to track her movements and read her private messages.
When Tran discovered she was traveling to Manchester for a first date, he tracked her itinerary, obtaining details of restaurant and activity bookings across the city, including Cibo and Roxy’s Ballroom.
Brutal Pre-Planned Attack
On the night of the attack, Tran followed the couple undetected for hours, matching their movements as they walked through the city. He later ambushed them on a grass bank near Castlefield, spraying UV paint in their eyes to disorient them before stabbing both victims.
CCTV and doorbell footage from a nearby barge captured Tran fleeing the scene and removing his balaclava.
Swift Police Investigation
Detectives identified Tran’s movements using mobile data and CCTV, uncovering his search history, which included a podcast on seeking revenge against women.
He attempted to cover his tracks by dumping his bloodied clothing, knife, and balaclava in a wooded area, but was swiftly arrested by Metropolitan Police in London the following day.
The judge presiding over the case described it as “one of the most premeditated Section 18 cases” they had encountered.
Victims on the Road to Recovery
Despite suffering serious injuries, the couple has remained together and is continuing their long road to recovery.
