No jail for knife attack

A Tweed man went on a 20plus drink bender and stabbed a pub security guard through the hand when the bouncer swooped in to protect a reveller being knifed.

But Jakeob Edward Lavelle avoided prison following the horrific street attack and has been sentenced to serve an intensive correction order in the community over two years and four months.

The 23-year-old was surrounded by family who watched on quietly from the gallery during his sentencing at Lismore District Court.

The court heard on Monday that Lavelle and another man had a disagreement with a group at Dolphins Harbourside Hotel and he was removed from the venue about 12.20am on April 8.

Soon after, Lavelle was outside nearby strip club Manhattan Club Showgirls and ended up resuming the confrontation with a man from Dolphins.

The man mocked Lavelle: “You’re not so tough without your blade, are you?”.

Lavelle said he did not have a knife – but the bouncer from Dolphins spotted a blade in his hand. Lavelle was seen raising his arm and preparing to stab the other reveller in the neck while his back was turned, police state. The guard stopped the knife within 10cm of it piercing the skin.

But protecting the man came at a cost and the bouncer yelled: “I’ve been stabbed, call the police.”

Lavelle backed away, still holding the knife, and walked off, the court was told.

Judge Jonathan Priestley said “It’s drunken, senseless violence,” he said.

Lavelle previously pleaded guilty to reckless grievous bodily harm and stalking and intimidation.