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Fight breaks out on street after burglar is identified

Violence flared when a burglary victim discovered somebody living in her street was responsible for the crime, a judge heard.

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The victim was infuriated by the culprit tampering with personal items relating to her daughter, who died from cancer aged five, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

She was later told a blood stain found at the scene of the February 21 break-in had been linked to 18-year-old Michael Hall whom she knew was living at an address on the opposite side of the road.

Police were alerted when the woman's partner and two friends went to the house on April 10 in an unsuccessful bid to confront the teenager over the burglary, the court heard.

Officers did not stay after responding to the call because everything was calm when they reached School Road, Quarry Bank, explained Mr Patrick Sullivan, prosecuting.

Hall's 31-year-old cousin Ricky Smith had also been contacted and arrived with another man to take his relative away from the scene but the burglary victim's partner and his friends saw the trio leave the property.

"Both groups met and an attack ensued during which blows were exchanged between the parties," continued Mr Sullivan.

One of the partner's friends was stabbed three times by the third member of the teenager's group, who has not been traced.

Another was punched to the ground and Hall hit the partner over the head with the bag he was carrying that contained a bottle, the court heard.

Miss Chiara Maddocks, defending, said Hall was walking towards Smith's car when the incident occurred, adding: "He had not actively sought this outcome."

He had been on drugs at the time of the burglary but was now clean, it was said.

Miss Maddocks explained Smith had no idea of the background to situation when he arrived to collect his teenage cousin. He had no previous convictions and had retired after 12 years service in the army with an exemplary record.

Hall, now of Roseville Precinct, Coseley admitted burglary and wounding on the grounds of joint enterprise despite not being responsible for the stabbing.

He was given 22 months detention suspended under supervision for two years because he had already spent six months in custody on remand waiting for the case to be resolved.

Judge Simon Ward told him: "It is not your fault people came looking for you as a result of the burglary. What is your fault is the way you reacted. It takes two to start a fight."

Smith from Martin Close, Coseley, who pleaded guilty to assault, received a two-year community order under supervision with 120 hours unpaid work.

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