The incident took place outside Waterstones Pic: Google
A 17-year-old who stabbed a teenage boy outside Waterstones on a busy Saturday afternoon has been sentenced to three years at a youth offending institute.
At 1.30pm on September 8, shoppers heard shouting and screaming and saw the teenager running towards the other boy with the knife held out in front of him and his dog beside him.
The other boy turned away, but was knifed in the buttock. He was taken to hospital and treated for a 3cm knife wound as the junction of Fishergate and Cheapside was cordoned off.
The teenager pleaded guilty to Section 18 wounding with intent and appeared at Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.
Recorder Alison Woodward, sentencing, said: “The knife came into contact with his buttock, rather than his stomach or thigh – which could have resulted in a very different offence and a very different sentence than the one you are facing today.”
“There were a number of witnesses to this incident and at least two have given witness statements.
“This must have been an extremely scary and concerning incident for those members of the public to have observed and although your victim has not co-operated with the prosecution, no doubt this was an uncomfortable, painful injury – together with any shock that was associated.”
Following the incident, police issued an appeal to locate the wanted teenager and he was found 12 days later, hiding in a bedroom wardrobe.
He was granted bail but on November 15 was once again found in possession of a knife and was given a detention and training order.
A Youth Offending Team report prepared for the court described the teenager as being “capable of causing serious harm to others through the commission of the offence.”
The judge said: “It is concerning that since the commission of this offence you have continued to carry a knife and there has been a marked increase in your offending through 2018.”
The court heard the youngster had a difficult upbringing and had been exposed to crime, drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence from a young age.
He had educational difficulties and is now suffering from poor mental health.
The judge said: “It is not said that any of this justifies this behaviour but it sets it into context.”
Blog Preston made an application to the court to waive the legal restrictions in identifying the teenage boy, arguing there had been extensive media coverage about the appeal to trace him, but the judge refused.
However, she said: “This offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence is justified.”
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