Four years for stabbing boy, 16
A 16-YEAR-OLD father-tobe has been sentenced to four years behind bars after stabbing another boy in the back in Skelmersdale.
His victim, who has since turned 17, was lucky to have survived the attack in Firbeck on January 4 2020, a court heard.
Preston Crown Court heard that the 16-yearold, who cannot be named for legal reasons, started carrying a knife “for protection” in 2019.
But on January 4 he got involved in a confrontation with the other boy, who ran away along the footpath.
The teenager ran after him and stabbed him in the back, causing an 8.7cm (3½in) wound which punctured the victim’s lung. Paramedics gave him life-saving treatment at the scene before taking him to hospital in a critical condition.
Judge David Potter, sentencing, said: “He was extremely fortunate not to have died.”
The 16-year-old was arrested and admitted that he had stabbed the other boy “to get him first”.
He pleaded guilty to
Section 18 wounding with intent.
Judge Potter said: “It goes without saying that knife crime is a constant threat on our streets and young people are very worried that others may be carrying knives.
“You have said that this knife was carried by you for protection but when you stabbed this boy in the back he was running away from you. There was no immediate threat.”
The court heard that the youngster had a previous conviction for possession of a knife in 2019 and had been working with the Youth Offending Team to address his criminality.
His partner is expecting their first child in the summer.
But the judge said: “This incident has had a very bad effect on your victim, medically, socially and educationally.
“I have to take that situation into account when fixing the appropriate sentence.
“Despite your age, your offence is so serious that nothing but a substantial custodial sentence can be justified.
“You realise you are not providing any role model for your as yet unborn child, and I am sure you are remorseful for what you did, but I am concerned by what you said in your pre-sentence report that you felt justified in carrying a knife in Skelmersdale.”
The teenager will serve his sentence at a Young Offenders Institution.