Teenager stabbed ex-schoolmate in barbershop fracas
ATEENAGER pulled up outside a barbershop and directed abuse at a group of friends outside before plunging a knife into one of them.
Jordan Riseborough, 17, hit his victim Jack Ceshion with a water bottle after pulling up outside the Gentlemen’s Barbers in Trowbridge, Cardiff. He then stabbed Mr Ceshion, leaving him needing surgery.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard that Riseborough, whose identity was revealed after reporting restrictions were lifted, and Mr Ceshion went to the same school and lived close to one another in Llanrumney.
Prosecutor Jason Howells said: “Jack Ceshion and his friends appeared to regularly meet at the barbers in Cae Glas Road.
“They were outside the barber shop on July 27 when a black Audi A3 car pulled up next to them.
“Mr Ceshion said the defendant got out, approached his friend and became abusive towards him, which became an argument. The defendant was described as swinging a water bottle at Mr Ceshion.
“That water bottle connected with Mr Ceshion’s nose, which caused him to stand up, grab hold of the defendant and push him away. He noticed blood pouring through his shirt and he realised he had been stabbed before falling to the floor. He was taken into the barber shop and was given first aid by the owner.”
One of the witnesses to the incident described seeing a “sharp metal” blade about 4-5in long in Riseborough’s left hand.
Mr Ceshion was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff to receive treatment for a single stab wound to his stomach. His abdominal organs were uninjured and he was discharged the next day.
In a statement read out to the court, Mr Ceshion said: “I received 28 staples to close the wound and after the operation I was in a lot of pain and I had to take a lot of medication. I couldn’t sleep because it was too painful to turn.
“It’s affected me and my whole family – my mum is really worried about me. I would consider myself a decent hardworking person who does not involve myself in trouble.”
Riseborough was arrested later the same day but police were unable to trace the weapon he used.
Despite giving no comment in his first interview, he later claimed there had been a previous incident where Mr Ceshion and his friends tried to attack him, with witnesses present, but this had never been reported to the police.
Riseborough later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
Andrew Taylor, defending, said: “He has never had any previous convictions, underscored by the fact there’s nothing recorded against him. He bitterly regrets it and there’s nothing in his past to suggest he has done anything like this before and he makes a solemn promise to the court that nothing like this will happen again.”
Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff Judge Eleri Rees said: “I am afraid your case illustrates all too graphically the dangers inherent in young people arming themselves with a knife in a stance of conflict.
“What might end up as fisticuffs, once a knife is present, it can end up with the most serious of consequences. It’s something that is an ongoing concern.”
Riseborough, of Uphill Road, Llanrumney, was sentenced to a total of three years’ detention in a young offenders’ institute. He was also made subject to a restraining order for five years.