Worksop: 23-year-old man is jailed following a knife attack outside Tesco

A Worksop man has been jailed for two years after he admitted “stabbing” another man outside Tesco.
Nottingham Crown COurt.Nottingham Crown COurt.
Nottingham Crown COurt.

Blake Cleaver, of Gateford Road, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and wounding after a man received stab wounds to his legs following an attack.

The court heard that on Saturday, July 18, Cleaver, aged 23, got into an argument with another man outside the Tesco supermarket on Gateford Road, Worksop, about something the complainant had supposedly said about Cleaver’s then girlfriend.

The argument was broken up by a Tesco employee and the two men went inside the store.

However, Richard Thatcher, prosecuting, said: “When the complainant was leaving the store he was confronted again by Cleaver who challenged him to join him outside and the complainant followed.

“During the altercation, Cleaver fell to the ground and the complainant set about him. A witness said there were blows and kicks to Cleaver by the complainant while he was on the ground.

“Cleaver took out the knife, a Stanley folding knife, and slashed at the complainant’s legs.

“The complainant, who was wearing shorts, felt a blow to both legs and there were injuries to both knees.”.

“The police attended Cleaver’s home where they arrested him. Cleaver accepted he struck the complainant and claimed he had been punched first.

“He told the police he fell to the floor and struck out in self defence.

“He told the police he had been carrying the knife because he had been doing some gardening and he had not intended to hurt anyone or threaten anyone with it.”

Kevin Jones, mitigating, said: “He is a young man who has, after some time, come to his senses. This has made him reflect in relation to his behaviour as this has had an impact on his partner, his children and his home.

“He is no longer able to reside with his partner and children upon his release.

“He knows he can’t continue this way and he needs to address his problems.

“He is quick to temper and doesn’t think and this was the position he found himself in at the time.

“He was very panicky when he went home and he didn’t realise the extent of the injury he had inflicted, but he knew there was blood.

“He made an immediate admission and he realises it had got out of hand.”

Sentencing, Mr Recorder Paul Mann QC, told Cleaver: “You had a face off with the complainant over something you believe he said. It got heated and then it calmed down and it should have stayed there.

“But after you had done your shopping you approached him again. You offered for him to go outside because you wanted to fight him and it was foolish of him to agree.

“This was in a busy shopping centre in Worksop where there were women and children and other members of the public about.

“He did something which caused you to lose your footing and you fell to the floor. He then put the boot in and you resorted to pulling the knife out, and you intended to use it. You didn’t think through the consequences.

“You deliberately armed yourself with something which can be a very dangerous weapon.

“I accept there was only the one slash which caused two deep cuts on his legs and you are lucky it didn’t cause more serious injuries.”

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