Four years for club stabbing

A teenager was today starting a four-year sentence for stabbing a Stafford nightclub doorman in the back.

Unemployed 18-year-old Dwaine Lewis, of Fifth Avenue, Low Hill, Wolverhampton, was being ejected from Zanzibar in Newport Road when he stabbed Gareth Steadman, narrowly missing his spine.

Judge Simon Tonking told Lewis, who admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm that it was “a wholly unprovoked attack on a perfectly innocent man with a very nasty knife.”

Inspector Rob Pilling, commander of Stafford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “The support and professionalism of the door staff and management at Zanzibar greatly assisted in securing the conviction of this man.

“The carrying of knives and weapons within Stafford will not be tolerated. It is seen as a high priority for officers and the result of this case should serve as a deterrent to like-minded individuals. The message is clear – if you carry a knife you are likely to get caught.

“However, I would like to reassure residents that incidents of this nature are extremely rare within the town centre. I would urge anyone with concerns around people carrying knives to contact us on 08453 302010 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. In an emergency call 999.”

Lewis was sentenced to four years in youth custody.