Neighbour stabbed in noise dispute

Two thugs have been jailed for a vicious drug-fuelled attack on a Black Country neighbour who complained about the noise they were making late at night.

Jason Morris was repeatedly stabbed and beaten by the pair who bit his son in the face when he tried to help. His five-months pregnant wife Natasha was punched several times by the partner of one of the attackers as violence flared in Snowdon Grove, Halesowen.

Mr Morris was also pelted with bricks and garden ornaments during the early morning fracas last October, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Kate Iliffe explained: “The victim was woken by loud music and shouting coming from a nearby address and went round to ask for the noise to be kept down.

He was pushed out of the flat by the two men inside who knocked him to the ground where he was jumped on and kicked.

“When his son went to his assistance he was bitten on the left cheek. Bricks and ornaments were thrown before the attackers left for a short time.

They returned with a seven inch blade kitchen knife. “Mr Morris was screaming that the police had been called and was backing away with his hands raised in a gesture of peace but unfortunately he backed into a small wall and fell over.”

Peter Duffy, aged 27, who was armed with the knife, then launched another 30-second attack during which the victim was stabbed several times and suffered a serious wound to the left arm.

The thug had been partying with Mark Franklin at the latter’s home in Snowdon Grove after both had downed alcohol and snorted cocaine, the court heard. Franklin, aged 31, joined in the beating and one of their partners hit the wife of Mr Morris up to eight times.

They all fled before police arrived but were traced soon afterwards.

Judge John Warner told the two men: “You were both involved in a vicious and sustained bout of violence partly driven by drink and drugs.” Duffy from Marcot Road, Solihull, admitted wounding with intent and assault and was jailed for five years while Franklin pleaded guilt to wounding and was locked up for 21 months.

The woman who assaulted Mrs Morris was dealt with by a different court and received a conditional discharge.