Knifeman rang 999 and said: 'I've stabbed my neighbour twice'

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A man rang 999 to admit he had stabbed his neighbour in self-defence. Remigiusz Sieradzki called the emergency services on February 14 and asked for an ambulance and the police.

The 32-year-old told the operator he stabbed his neighbour twice in the legs with a knife in Campbell Road, Stoke, after he 'p****d him off'. He said the man fled and hid in his room.

Sieradzki - who claimed he had lost control and snapped - said the wounds were deep and the man had crawled away. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the defendant also punched and kicked him twice in the head while he was on the floor.

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Prosecutor Emily Andrew said: "It appeared the two of them knew each other as they lived in the same multi-occupancy address. When asked what happened, the defendant informed officers he had stabbed his neighbour and confirmed his neighbour suffered with mental health issues and had ran away and locked himself in the room upstairs."

The court heard the victim refused to engage with police. He was taken to hospital and received treatment for two stab wounds, to the rear of each thigh. He said he did not want to go to court and as far as he knew his injuries were caused when he fell over.

Campbell Road, Stoke
Campbell Road, Stoke -Credit:Google Maps

Sieradzki, of Campbell Road, Stoke, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. His plea was on a basis the victim strangled him, was on top of him and he feared for his life. He stabbed him once in self-defence and punched and kicked him twice in the head while he was on the floor. He accepted the latter actions went beyond self-defence.

Barry White, mitigating, said Sieradzki had resettlement status for five years.

Judge Michael Maher said it was an unusual case and sentenced Sieradzki to 18 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with 100 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days. Judge Maher said: "The only evidence of the assault comes from you. You rang the emergency services on February 14. You indicated you lost control of your temper and stabbed your victim twice because he had 'p****d you off'. You said you were impulsive and had stabbed him deeply.

"He did have two stab wounds, to the back of each thigh. He has refused to engage with the police or the prosecution.

"You put forward a basis of plea different to what you said in the phone call. Rather than p****d you off, you said he had strangled you and he was on top of you and you were afraid for your life. You said you stabbed him once in self-defence. You punched and kicked him twice in the head while he was on the floor. In respect of that latter matter, you accept that your actions went beyond self-defence.

"The prosecution do not seek to challenge that basis of plea because of the difficulties they have with this victim. In mitigation, your basis, which is accepted, demonstrates very significant provocation. That is the reason I have drawn back from a sentence of immediate imprisonment."

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