Wolverhampton yob, 17, locked up for five years after stabbing random stranger in Whitmore Reans

The drunk 17-year-old plunged the sheath knife into the chest of Marek Swierski who was on his way to a nearby shop, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The attacker, who had previous convictions involving a kitchen knife and meat clever, struck in Crowther Street, Whitmore Reans, after being involved in mock fights with friends during which the weapon had been produced, explained Mr Marc Davies, prosecuting. It was handled by both him and 26-year-old Kieron Grant, who also had previous convictions for robbery and possession of a knife.

The group, who were described as being unsteady of their feet after drinking heavily, pushed and grappled with each other on a path between a row of garages. Then Mr Swierski arrived on the scene en route to the corner shop.

Mr Davies explained: “He was asked by the 17-year-old for a cigarette and the reply was ‘no.’ He was pushed from behind and fell down.

“When he got up he was confronted by the 17-year-old who was holding the knife. He went towards Mr Swierski and stabbed him in the left side of the chest near the shoulder.”

The wounded man was bleeding heavily as he staggered into the convenience store.

Two of his friends who had tried to intervene were kicked and punched by Grant while 18-year-old Kimaani Kamar punched Mr Swierski during the June 7 fracas.

Police received reports of another stabbing at a flat in Newport Street, Park Village where they found Grant, the 17-year-old and Kamara, who was bleeding from a wound to the hand.

Officers discovered two knives at the address – one in Kamara’s back pack and the other on top of discarded jacket but neither was used in the earlier attack. That weapon has not not recovered. The wounded man received emergency surgery in hospital but no major organs were damaged. The attack on Mr Swierski, and the run up to it, was captured on CCTV.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified, admitted wounding with intent and possession of a knife. He received five years three months detention with a three year extension to his licence period on release after being categorised as a danger to the public. Grant, from First Avenue, Low Hill and Kamara of Chester Street, Whitmore Reans both pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a knife. The former was jailed for 13 months while the latter got 12 months detention suspended for two years with 120 hours unpaid work.