Pair jailed for knife attack outside Black Country flat
Two men who launched an attack on another which saw them stab their victim have been jailed for more than five years each. One of them, Andrew Hawkins, was described as having a 'fascination' with weapons.
The other man, Nathan Bradley, also held a knife with an eight-inch blade to the throat of Anthony Pritchard. The assault on Mr Pritchard came after Hawkins and Bradley had gone to the flats in Willis Pearson Avenue, Bilston, looking for somebody else following an earlier dispute.
Mr Pritchard suffered wounds to his thighs and also to his hand, for which he needed to have surgery.
The assault took place just after midnight on October 13 last year.
Bradley, aged 23, of Haskell Street, Walsall, smashed glass at the flats as well as brandishing the knife.
Father-of-one Hawkins, 25, of Green Lanes, Bilston, was also seen wielding a weapon. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the pair had gone to the flats and after causing an initial disturbance with someone else at the flats they went off.
However, they returned soon after and carried out the attack on Mr Pritchard.
No knives were ever recovered and when quizzed by police they both initially denied any involvement.
They later admitted charges of wounding and possession of an offensive weapon.
In a witness statement to the court, the victim said he had been scared to go outside and was worried about something similar happening again.
Mr Oliver Woolhouse, defending, said Bradley was full of remorse for the injury and did not have a history of possessing weapons. He added his client had been binge drinking.
Mr Jas Mann, defending Hawkins, said: "It plainly was behaviour which is simply not behaviour anyone could condone or he could seek to explain. He acknowledges he had a fascination where weapons are concerned. He feels not only has he let himself down, he feels ashamed he has let down a loving and supportive family."
Bradley was sentenced to five years, three months in jail, while Hawkins was ordered to serve six years and nine months imprisonment. Hawkins committed the offence while on licence after previously being sentenced to three years for a knifepoint robbery in Willenhall.
Judge John Warner said they were both under the influence of alcohol.
