Knifeman sent to prison for two random attacks in city

BOTH VICTIMS FOUGHT BACK

A HOMELESS man fought back when a robber demanded “give me all your money” and produced a large knife.

The victim repeatedly told Daniel Hatherley, pictured, he had no cash, when confronted in Leicester’s Tudor Road at 4am on July 26.

Neil Bannister, prosecuting, said: “Hatherley then told the man to empty his pockets. Hatherley produced a large kitchen knife and moved forwards as if he was going to stab him, so he (the victim) grabbed the defendant’s hand holding the knife and there was a struggle. The complainant’s grip slipped and he cut his hand along the blade.

“Hatherley then tried to punch him and the knife fell to the ground, which the complainant picked up.

“Hatherley tried to get the knife back and held him in a headlock, making efforts to strangle him, but he released himself and ran off.

“The defendant then pursued him a short distance on a bicycle shouting for the knife.” The victim, bleeding from a “nasty hand injury,” sought help at a fast food shop in Buckminster Road and the police were called.

Meanwhile, Hatherley, 27, made his way onto Beatrice Road where he encountered two men walking near their home. He stopped and produced a glass bottle from a bag and made as if to strike one of them.

One hit him in self-defence and then turned away, but Hatherley struck him on the back of the head with the bottle, causing a gash.

The man suffered “extreme pain and dizziness” as the other grabbed a rubbish bin to ward off the defendant. Hatherley later phoned the ambulance service asking to be taken to a psychiatric unit. He claimed he had been in a fight and used a bottle to defend himself against two men.

Hatherley, of Vernon Road, Aylestone, admitted unlawful wounding, attempted robbery and possessing a knife. He also admitted causing actual bodily harm with a bottle.

Recorder Stuart Sprawson said: “These were two random street attacks when it was dark. They happened within a short time of each other, using different weapons.”

Hatherley was jailed for a total of three years and nine months.