Yahoo News Newcastle men jailed after woman stabbed in the chest as she walked through Elswick Park
Two men are behind bars after a woman was stabbed in the chest as she walked through a city park.
The victim, who is in her 30s, suffered a punctured lung and spent time in a high dependency unit at hospital after the attack in April last year. Newcastle Crown Court heard the woman was first targeted by Chelsea Kane, who pulled out clumps of her hair during a confrontation outside a convenience store.
Moments later, the victim, who had hit back in self defence, walked away into Elswick Park in Newcastle. The court heard Kane's then boyfriend Tony Gregorio and his pal Lee Burrows showed up and the violence took a "scary" turn.
Prosecutor Nicoletta Alistari said CCTV captured what happened and Gregorio was seen talking to Kane then taking a knife from Burrows. Miss Alistari added: "Gregorio then walked in the direction of Elswick Park. In the park the complainant was punched by Gregorio, who said 'I know you chinned my lass' before punching her to the jaw, causing her to fall to the ground.
"When she stood up he stabbed her in the left side of the chest with the knife. She didn't realise she had been stabbed until she saw bleeding and bubbles coming from the wound."
The court heard as she walked away from the attack, the victim saw Kane and told her "your boyfriend just stabbed me". Miss Alistari added: "Kane replied 'you 'f****** deserved it' and tried to punch her."
The court heard police who arrived at the scene performed first aid on the woman until she was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary by ambulance. She needed surgery to drain and re-inflate her lung, a stab wound to her chest was cleaned and she was transferred to the high dependency unit. She said she was left in "constant fear".
Judge Tim Gittins said the victim had fought back "robustly" against Kane but added that the violence became "scary and serious". Judge Gittins said the men were "clearly intoxicated, probably by a combination of drink and cocaine".
Gregorio, 26, of Beech Grove, Newcastle, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and having a bladed article and has been jailed for 57 months.
Richard Bloomfield, defending, said Gregorio had been the victim of violence himself and thought the trouble that day was linked to that but added: "He acknowledges that is not right. He said his head was 'all over the place'. He wishes to apologise."
Burrows, 48, also of Beech Grove, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, having a bladed article and having an imitation firearm with intent in relation to a child's toy gun he had strapped to a holster on his chest when he was arrested. He was jailed for 38 months.
Mark Styles, defending, said Burrows has a long-standing, "serious drug problem".
Kane, 28, of Tennyson Crescent, Gateshead, admitted assault and common assault and was sentenced to a community order for 18 months. The court heard Kane's mum had sent a letter to the judge on her behalf.
All three were given a restraining order to keep them away from the victim.
