Yahoo News Burslem street brawl ends in stabbing after drinker told he's 'smelly'
Drinker John Jones stabbed a man in a fight outside a pub - after being called 'smelly'. The 39-year-old and his victim spent the evening drinking in The Vine Inn, Burslem, and they fell out when the other man told Jones he stank.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard they went outside and squared up to each other and they fought in the middle of Hamil Road. While the other man threw the first punch, Jones used a Stanley knife to stab him.
The court heard the man, who has been charged with affray but remains at large, was left with a wound to his stomach and forearm and was taken to hospital. Now Jones has been jailed for 15 months.
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Prosecutor Sara Wyeth said the incident happened at 11.10pm on December 14, 2023 outside The Vine Inn. Miss Wyeth said: "Jones and the other man had been drinking all evening in the pub. They know each other socially. It is believed the altercation began as a result of the other man calling Jones smelly or saying he stinks in some way. The two went outside and squared up to each other. The other man threw the first punch.
"There was a fight between two men in the middle of Hamil Road. During the altercation Jones used a knife in his possession to cut the other man. A witness saw Jones stab the man in the chest and arm."
The court heard the two men were separated and soon after the police arrived at the scene. The victim was heard to say he would 'leather' Jones.
Jones fled but was soon detained. He said it was self-defence. He was searched and he had a Stanley knife in his pocket with blood on it. The victim was taken to hospital where he received treatment for wounds to his stomach and forearm.
Jones, of Broomhill Street, Tunstall, pleaded guilty to wounding and possession of a bladed article in public. The court heard he has 26 previous convictions for 48 offences including for violence and possession of knives in public.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, conceded it was an 'ugly piece of violent disorder' in Burslem. Mr Cliff said: "There was an element of provocation. The defendant went to walk away. The other man threw punches at him. There was a period he was trying to walk away from this disorder but ultimately he behaved in the way he did and he caused the injuries."
He said Jones is a painter and decorator but is not working at the moment and he is an inpatient at the Harplands Hospital. He has been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder and he has struggled with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety and depression.
Jailing Jones, Judge Robert Brown said: "It was a consensual fight. You produced a blade. He threw the first punch. If you had not involved a blade this may well have come to nothing and you may well have gone home, the pair of you, that night without the involvement of the police. But it did involve a knife and there are consequences. You have an appalling record. It includes having a bladed article on three occasions."
