THE victim of a brutal kidnapper who threatened her at knifepoint spoke of her shock last night after he walked free from court.

Landlady Trudi Burns said she was appalled after her former tenant, Joseph Bonwick, was released on two years' probation at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

The 59-year-old, who has a history of alcohol and drug addiction, held an 8in kitchen knife to Ms Burns' throat after she gave him a month to leave her home, where she cares for people suffering from mental illness.

She believes she was lucky to escape with her life after breaking free when Bonwick tried to force her into a car to drive them both to Beachy Head.

After Bonwick was sentenced yesterday, Ms Burns said: "I cannot believe they can allow this person who has done this to walk free.

"I was crying, I was sobbing and I was absolutely gutted when I heard.

"When it happened I was scared to go out.

"I couldn't sleep and

I was convinced he would get out of prison and come here. But as

time went by and as long as I knew he was locked up in prison I was all right and I really believed he would get a minimum of two years."

Since the attack in January, Bonwick had been remanded in custody

in Lewes Prison but

yesterday he was allowed to walk free and take up

a place at Kingswood Nursing Home in St Leonards.

Ms Burns said: "They are not allowed to lock him in by law in the nursing home so it's just a matter of trust that he is not going to come back down here."

Bonwick had been a tenant of Ms Burns' for three years but at the time of the attack his physical and mental health had deteriorated and he had been told to leave.

However, he returned to the house and after stealing a sharp kitchen knife crept up on her in the lounge, telling her "not to do anything stupid".

Ms Burns said: "I thought he was going to kill me."

She broke free but suffered cuts to her hands.

Judge Richard Hayward sentenced Bonwick to two years' probation yesterday on the conditions he reside at Kingswood, does not go to his former address in Hangleton Road or contact Ms Burns.

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