A WOMAN fascinated by murderers and serial killers was jailed for life after she stabbed her friend in the face and neck with two knives on a train.

Lisa Savage had only recently been released on licence after serving 17 years in prison when she tried to murder Sarah Hayton at Chepstow train station in a “frenzied attack”.

Newport Crown Court heard how the 42-year-old had been travelling with her companion from Birmingham to Aberdare on Sunday, April 15 to confront her mother who had sent her a text to say she never wanted to see her again.

South Wales Argus:

(Savage with the knife in her hand)

Prosecutor Anna Midgley said Savage carried out the sustained attack which lasted nearly four minutes in front of horrified passengers and train staff.

Chilling CCTV footage of the attack was played to the court and showed the defendant leaving the scene covered in blood.

Miss Midgley said Savage had only been released on licence last year after serving 17 years in custody for a previous life sentence for wounding an ex-boyfriend in 2000.

The court heard that Miss Hayton told detectives how the defendant had exhibited “bizarre behaviour” in the days leading up to the stabbing and had become “fascinated with murderers and serial killers”.

South Wales Argus:

(A blood-covered Savage walks away from her victim)

The prosecutor said the pair had spent the day heavily drinking vodka together and Savage had turned on the complainant after she told her she didn't want to go through with the face-to-face with her mother.

Miss Midgeley said of the knifing: “The victim was terrified. She believed she was going to die.

“She recalls the sound of gurgling on her own blood.

“She was crawling through the carriage at the end of the incident.

“The defendant said to her, ‘Go to sleep little girl’ as the attack was happening.”

The court was told that after she was arrested, Savage told detectives: “I took her out didn’t I? I did it! I’m a psycho killer.”

The defendant, formerly of Weoley Park Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, wounding with intent and two counts of having a bladed article.

She and Miss Hayton had known each other for 20 years and were living in the same probation hostel in the West Midlands.

Stephen Thomas, mitigating, said his client had pleaded guilty.

He added that, as a child, Savage had witnessed “very serious domestic violence perpetrated against her mother” and that she had a personality disorder.

The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Eleri Rees, imposed a life sentence and told the defendant she would not be eligible for release until she had served at least eight years and four months.

Outside the court, Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Jaci Thomas, of British Transport Police, said: “This was a shocking and vicious attack, and I am pleased we have been able to bring Lisa Savage to justice.

“I would particularly like to thank my team for their outstanding contributions to this case, which has seen Lisa Savage receive a long custodial service and a dangerous woman removed from the streets.”