Large knife picked up during kitchen brawl

A squabble over a dirty kitchen took a dangerous turn after a teenager picked up a large butcher’s knife.

Judge Chris Sygrove told the New Plymouth District Court how Aiden Nikora Marshall and his mother’s partner had a ‘‘set to’’ in the kitchen of the family home on September 11.

The row, which quickly turned physical, was sparked by the messy state of the kitchen, he said.

The pair tussled on the kitchen floor and traded a number of blows. At one point, Marshall, 19, was pinned up against the kitchen bench by the other man.

Judge Sygrove said the teen then reached over and picked up a large butcher’s knife.

Marshall’s mother intervened and tried to restrain him but he broke free of her.

A struggle ensued over the knife and the other male received a small cut, about 20-30 millimetres long, between his eyebrows.

Judge Sygrove said when Marshall was interviewed by police he accepted what he had done and said he never intended to hurt the victim.

Marshall previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with a knife and appeared in court for sentencing yesterday.

The judge accepted the injury had been accidental.

‘‘You certainly weren’t there to deliberately stab anyone,’’ he told the teen.

He said the victim had informed the court in his statement that he had forgiven Marshall for what had happened.

‘‘He records that you have apologised to him and he asks that you be shown some leniency.’’

Marshall was sentenced to a nine month term of supervision.