Judge’s fury at soft justice for knife teen
A JUDGE slammed prosecutors yesterday for allowing a ‘dangerous’ teenage knifeman to avoid trial for attempted murder.
Joshua Clement, 18, was accused of attacking revellers with a knife ‘for fun’ at a water fight which spiralled into rioting.
He wore a Halloween mask to hide his identity, and was seen on CCTV buying a burger from McDonald’s just minutes later. He was charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm – but was allowed to plead guilty to lesser offences to end the case.
Old Bailey judge Michael Topolski QC said the public deserved an explanation for why the teenager was not put on trial for the most serious allegation. He highlighted his appalling criminal record, including violence convictions, and suggested Clement would pose a risk to the public if not sent to prison for a considerable period.
‘This is not just stabbing in the course of robbing, it was stabbing for fun going on,’ the judge said. ‘I just wonder if this defendant may be a life candidate. He is terribly dangerous. To say this is a disturbing case is an understatement.’
Asking why the prosecution had accepted the guilty pleas, he added: ‘I hope it is explained to the victim[s] fully. The public demands, through me, an explanation. That is why there will need to be one.’
Clement slashed and stabbed two men as up to 4,000 people gathered at Hyde Park, Central London, for a water fight on July 19. The event was supposed to be a light-hearted way to enjoy the soaring temperatures. But as dusk fell it exploded into violence, with hundreds of police fighting running battles with youths in the street.
Footage taken on an onlooker’s mobile phone showed Clement attacking one man with actions considered so serious he was charged with attempted murder.
One of the attacks, in which the victim suffered stab wounds to his body, took place inside Hyde Park. The second occurred close to the park’s perimeter – the victim suffered injuries to his chest and arms. Clement was caught after an image of him without his mask was circulated by officers and he was recognised by a gang specialist.
Clement was initially charged with attempted murder, but his defence team agreed with prosecutors that he would admit a lesser crime to end the case.
Appearing by videolink, Clement yesterday admitted wounding with intent over attacks on two 19-year- old men. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a hunting- style knife, handling stolen goods, and possessing Class A drugs. The Old Bailey heard that he already has convictions for robbery, battery, drug possession and possessing a knife. The judge warned Clement: ‘You are facing a very significant term of detention.’
Speaking after the hearing, the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘To proceed with a charge of attempted murder we would need to prove an intention to kill, rather than cause serious harm.
‘In making this decision we considered wounding with intent covered all the aggravating factors, potentially carrying [a sentence of] up to life imprisonment. This approach was agreed with the police.’ Clement, of Hammersmith, West London, will be sentenced in October.