Man involved in knife attacked spared jail
20-YEAR-OLD TOLD JUDGE HE WAS ‘SCARED OF CUSTODY’
A YOUNG man who was “scared of custody” has been given a second chance by a Grimsby judge despite being embroiled in a nightclub knife attack.
Bradley Green, 20, was visiting Cleethorpes from his home in Dover on December 30, 2018 when he became involved in an altercation involving another man referred to as Lunt.
Grimsby Crown Court heard on Friday that the pair were inside the former Nokturnal nightclub on Sea Road when Lunt was bumped into by another man. Prosecuting, Jon Close, told the court the man “tried to make a joke out of it” and Lunt pulled out what was described as a “machete-type knife” on him.
He said: “He held it behind his back. People dispersed and CCTV footage showed him swing the knife with force. The man was able to punch him and he backed off.” However, in the midst of the disagreement, the man who had bumped into Mr Lunt was left with a cut from the knife.
A woman who was dancing nearby was also injured.
Soon after, the man was seen handing the knife over to Green who went outside and threatened the injured male with it.
Mr Close said: “He could be seen walking over to the entrance. The injured male was outside and was approached by Green who said he was going to stab him.
“He then began waving the knife around. A man in a hat intervened and pushed him away. He punched the victim and when doing so got the knife out his jacket again, dropped it and then picked it up again. He threatened the man who got involved before walking away.” The knife was later recovered and police who attended the scene found Green sitting on a nearby bench and he was arrested and charged with assisting an offender. Green said he did not know Lunt. Mitigating, Michele Stuart Lofthouse told the court that Green has been remanded in custody since he was arrested after he failed to turn up for a sentencing.
She said: “He has written a letter to the judge to explain why he did not attend court. When asked why he said, ‘I was just scared of the custodial sentence’.
“He was visiting the area with people he knew - not the people the crown have as their witnesses. He accepts this was impulsive behaviour on his part. He has had careful thought about how he now wishes to proceed with his life. He has a supportive family and is about to become a father.
“He wants to be a good father and wants to improve his education in preparation of getting work. He knows his behaviour was stupid and this has had quite a significant impact on his future.”
Recorder Thyne gave Green a second chance in the form of an 18 month community order. He must also undertake unpaid work and 10 days rehabilitation activity.
The judge said: “Your role is that Lunt approached you and whispered something to you and you ended up with a knife so he could present himself inside as someone not involved. Your basis of plea is that you say you did not know anyone involved prior to that evening and that you waved the knife around outside because the complainant had been aggressive towards you. “This is a serious offence.”