Drug dealer hit man with a bladed knuckle duster
A DRUG dealer punched a buyer in the chest with a bladed knuckle duster to “teach him a lesson” over a £20 debt, a court heard.
Adam Pritchard told officers he threw the weapon in the River Taff following the incident in Cardiff, but drew them a picture of it during his police interview.
Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Michael Fitton QC said: “This is a very serious offence, made more serious by the nature of the weapon you were using.”
Steven Donoghue, prosecuting, said the attack happened outside complainant Michael Newell’s home in Horle Close, Grangetown, at around 4.30pm on Friday, February 14.
The prosecutor said Mr Newell had previously bought £20 worth of cocaine from Pritchard and did not pay it back in time, so the debt increased to £40.
Mr Donoghue told the court: “He was very angry about not being paid.”
Prosecutors alleged the defendant went to the address either to collect the debt or punish Mr Newell for not paying.
Mr Donoghue added: “He armed himself with a knuckle duster before going.”
The court heard Mr Newell and his mother were outside when the defendant arrived on a bike. He said: “It was immediately apparent he was angry.”
Mr Newell told his mother to go inside and she described hearing shouting and arguing.
The prosecutor said: “That turned into the defendant launching an assault on Mr Newell, having first taken out from his pocket the knuckle duster.”
Pritchard put the knuckle duster on his hand and punched Mr Newell twice to the chest, leaving him with a 2cm wound near his left nipple.
Mr Donoghue said the victim was wearing three layers, but the blade went through his coat, tracksuit and Cardiff City shirt, into his chest.
The victim managed to run into the house and told his mum: “He stabbed me.” His mother called the police.
Mr Newell was taken to hospital and his chest wound was stitched.
In a victim personal statement, he said: “This incident has really hit me hard. Being stabbed was something I never thought would happen to me.”
The court heard Pritchard got back on his bike and rode off after the incident. Police arrested him at his home in Grangetown and he said: “I haven’t used a weapon. I just punched someone.”
Pritchard was taken to the police station and interviewed. He accepted going to Mr Newell’s house and arguing about a debt.
He accepted he used to deal drugs, but told officers he did not do that anymore, and stated the debt did not have anything to do with drugs.
The defendant accepted he went over to collect money or “teach him a lesson” and admitted he was intending to use the knuckle duster.
He described the weapon as a knuckle duster with blades and sketched it for the officers. He stated he threw it in the River Taff after punching Mr Newell with it twice.
The court heard Pritchard had a caution for battery in 2013, but no previous convictions.
Pritchard, 28, from Cambridge Street in Grangetown, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.
Cora Sorensen, defending, said the defendant’s uncle died after being stabbed.
She added: “His family suffered significant trauma. He is disappointed with himself for being the perpetrator of a violent crime”
Judge Fitton noted a psychological report found the defendant did not think through consequences and was inclined to act impulsively.
He said: “That raises alarm bells about what dangers you might present in the future. You are very close to being described as dangerous.”
Judge Fitton noted Pritchard did not have previous convictions and jailed him for four years, as well as making a 10-year restraining order.