A “very dangerous” man who knifed a woman in the stomach before stabbing her boyfriend in the face sent her a text the next day admitting his actions were unforgiveable.

Eric Da Silva-Soares carried out the brutal attack in Dartford town centre after his feelings for a woman he was infatuated with were not reciprocated.

During the evening of August 31 last year the woman, who was in her 20s, was with her partner and another man in Spital Street, when she received a telephone call from a friend.

The friend said Da Silva-Soares was in town and had threatened to kill them if she did not leave her partner.

Around 10 minutes later the woman saw him approach while carrying a bag.

Da Silva-Soares then pulled a knife from it and stabbed the victim in her stomach and left arm.

Her partner, also in his 20s, intervened to protect her but was repeatedly stabbed. And when their friend tried to pull the attacker away, he was stabbed in the back.

Da Silva-Soares then returned to stabbing the woman’s partner, including his face, until all three victims managed to escape to a nearby McDonald’s.

Staff at the establishment locked the doors to prevent the offender following them and Da Silva-Soares then fled the scene.

The emergency services attended and the road was cordoned off near the junction with Orchard Street and the Flying Boat pub.

The three victims were taken to hospital where they underwent surgery for their serious injuries, with the injuries to the woman’s partner described as life-changing.

Police launched a manhunt to track down 29-year-old Da Silva-Soares who had travelled north to avoid being arrested.

On September 1, Da Silva-Soares then sent a text message to the woman he had stabbed, admitting his actions were unforgivable.

A day later, his efforts to escape were thwarted when Kent Police detectives directed officers at Edinburgh Airport to detain him as he went to catch a flight out of the country.

Da Silva-Soares, of Wharfside Close in Erith, south east London, was charged and pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to two attempted murders and unlawful wounding.

Today (March 7), he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the judge considering him a dangerous offender who will have to serve a minimum of 12 years and 10 months before he becomes eligible for parole.

At the time of the incident, the family of Anna Gleicy Helrigle de Brito confirmed to Brazilian media she was one of the victims and had been living in the UK for two years at the time of the attack.

Speaking to KentOnline one trader described the incident as “very shocking”.

“This is not a quiet area, it is busy with shoppers during the day and at night, people going to the pubs,” he said.

“There are fights here sometimes but nothing like this has happened.”

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Emma Lawry said: “This was an appalling, unprovoked assault on three young people enjoying a night out in Dartford.

“Da Silva-Soares came to the town armed with a knife, intent on violence, and inflicted shocking injuries.

“The impact of the assaults will have a long-lasting effect on the victims.

“The two men who tried to tackle Da Silva-Soares showed immense bravery and all three victims should be commended for their courage whilst assisting our investigation.

“Da Silva-Soares has shown himself to be a very dangerous individual and it is only right that he is now starting a lengthy prison sentence.”