Attacker jailed for 24 years after unexplained stabbing
A MAN who carried out a frenzied stabbing attack on another man in Birmingham has been jailed for 24 years.
Tristan Wallen’s victim could see his “heart beating through the gap” of one of seven deep wounds, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Wallen, 28, of Wilton Road, Handsworth, was found guilty of attempted murder, assault, possessing a knife and possessing cannabis by a jury.
Judge Richard Bond told him he had the intention of “killing a man who had done nothing to you whatsoever”. He said Wallen had never given an explanation for the attack but added: “You were intent in seeking some form of revenge in this terrible way.”
Wallen had launched his attack at a property in Roundlea Road, Northfield, on August 27 last year, first beating an 18-year-old woman, before chasing a 22-year-old man down the street and stabbing him multiple times.
The victim tried to defend himself and sustained slash wounds across his arms.
In fear of his life he ran, but Wallen quickly caught up with him and repeatedly stabbed him in the back and side. The victim’s mother intervened finding her son bleeding heavily on the doorstep.
His injuries were originally thought to be life-threatening and he was ‘lucky to survive’ thanks to the skill of surgeons, police said.
Witnesses saw Wallen fleeing in a car which was captured on a numberplate camera a week later. Officers pursued the vehicle which eventually stopped on the A38.
Wallen initially claimed he was his brother, but after he was correctly identified he was arrested. Cannabis was also found in the vehicle.
In a statement, the victim said one of the wounds had caused nerve damage to his left forearm and that he had been left heavily traumatised and suffered from flashbacks.
He said he had been forced to move from the area where he lived and had been left with “huge scars” all over his body.
Simon Rippon, defending, said there had not been a lot of planning and that although the wounds were deep they were not life-threatening.