The resident of a Northampton home who "forgot" his roof was being mended attacked the workman with a knife before being pushed off the ladder and knocked unconscious, a court heard. Robin Hastings, aged 52, was at home drunk when he became aware of a man who was in the process of repairing his roof.
Northampton Crown Court heard how the workman turned out to be his housemate's brother but convinced his home was being vandalised, he scaled the ladder armed with a kitchen knife and stabbed Jose Miranda in the arm. Hannah Mettam, prosecuting, said the victim reacted by using a broom to push at the ladder, causing Hastings to fall about nine feet on to concrete and knocked him out.
Mr Miranda suffered a small cut to his upper left arm which required stitches. Hastings, of St Martin's Close, Sunneyside, Northampton, previously pleaded not guilty to inflicting actual bodily harm but changed his plea to admit the stabbing. He escaped being sent to prison when ordered to pay £1,000 to his victim.
Sentencing, Judge Charles Wide QC said: "Normally people who use knives go straight to prison and for significant periods of time. And very often people who are simply carrying knives are sent straight to prison. Yours is a very different sort of case. It is a very bad thing that you did and it must be marked by a prison sentence. I have no doubt of that but there is something bizarre about the circumstances of this case and of your conduct." He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a six-month 8pm to 5am curfew, £1,000 compensation and £720 costs.
1 comment:
...very often people who are simply carrying knives are sent straight to prison."
This is the insane part of that story. Folk should be able to go around armed to the teeth should they so choose, as long as they show sound reasonable judgement and don't stab the help. This makes me wish I had a knife on me right now. I think the USA is a prison state, but y'all are off yer rockers.
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