Knife attacker avoids jail after land dispute

Knife attacker avoids jail after land dispute

6 July 2016

A DOWNPATRICK man, who slashed a man with a knife leaving him needing 50 stitches, has been spared jail.

Fifty year-old John Bernard Wade was tearful at Downpatrick Crown Court when he was given a two-year suspended prison sentence and a £5,000 fine for attacking the man during a land dispute near Strangford.

Wade, of Roughal Park, was also ordered to pay £5,000 compensation to his victim.

A second man, Peter Horrox (43), was sentenced to community service and probation for his part in the incident, which occurred at the Castleward Road on August 13, 2014.

At their sentencing on Thursday, Judge Piers Grant said he had considered that immediate custody was not warranted.

Wade had admitted the most serious charges, including “unlawfully and maliciously wounding” with a Stanley knife. Horrox admitted common assault.

The court previously heard the fight broke out after Wade went to speak to a family about a land dispute at a property he owned on the Castleward Road.

A scuffle broke out which turned serious as Wade issued threats. Three members of the family were assaulted.

One said he was assaulted by a number of men and kicked or punched to the head. Another member of the family was left with a cut to his chin and a bite mark to his right arm. The third man, who was elderly, was left shaken.

The most seriously injured victim was assaulted by Wade who used the Stanley knife to make a slash across his torso that required around 50 stitches. The wound was considered superficial.

Horrox was reported to have bitten one of the men and to have held a stone aloft in a threatening manner.

At the end of the assault Wade threatened the men with “the Boys” and told them: “Don’t be going to the police.”

Judge Grant said the fight had turned “very nasty” but accepted the argument itself was “not all one-sided”.

“This is a clear example of the way in which neighbours’ disputes can escalate and get completely and utterly out of control with very serious consequences for the victims and very serious consequences for those who inflict injuries on their neighbours,” he said.

He said the case should serve as a warning to others. Addressing the defendants directly, he added: “This stops now. This ends now.”

Sentencing Wade, the judge said he accepted he had not gone to the meeting with the intention of using the Stanley knife.

“But it is quite clear that you used it,” said Judge Grant. “The injury you inflicted is an appalling injury. It is a slash injury of his flesh, from his stomach, almost to his back.”

An emotional Wade replied: “I am very ashamed.”

The judge went on to say that he had, however, been influenced by his good record and two character references.

“You have a very good work record,” he said. “You have had a difficult upbringing and have made something of yourself.

“I heard of the contribution you have made to community life in this area.”

Sentencing Horrox, the judge said he had “behaved in a disgraceful manner” and had a “significant record”.

He noted there had been a significant effort to tackle a drug problem, but said as yet it was “not good enough”.

“I am prepared to give you a final opportunity,” the judge said, imposing an order of 100 hours community service and two years of probation.

“You are on your last chance,” he stressed. “I understand,” Horrox replied.

Both defendants also agreed to restraining orders preventing them having contact with the injured parties.