JAILED: Thug who stabbed teenager in botched West Bromwich robbery gets eight years

Rikeen Samuels, aged 18, knifed his 17-year-old victim in the stomach at the Jesson Playing Fields in West Bromwich, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The blow damaged the teenager's main artery and left him requiring two hours of emergency surgery to save his life.

Samuels' accomplice, Leon Kudhlakwazinda, 18, was detained for two years for his role in the attack on June 28 last year.

Mr Graeme Simpson, prosecuting, said the victim had gone to the playing fields with friends when he was approached by both defendants.

One of the victim's friends became concerned about the defendants' behaviour and instructed the group to move away from them, he said.

Mr Simpson said that as they left the scene the victim was called over into some bushes by Samuels, while Kudhlakwazinda 'put his arms out' to stop his friends from following.

He said: "The victim thought Samuels was trying to scare him and refused to give him anything.

"Samuels took out a knife with cloth around the handle. He stabbed the victim hard in the stomach."

The court was told that the 17-year-old tried to run off under a flurry of blows from Samuels' knife, one of which punctured a water bottle that he was carrying in a bag.

Kudhlakwazinda, who had a knife in his bag while he blocked off the victim's friends, was said to have 'stood watching and laughing' while the altercation occurred.

The victim eventually escaped and ran home, where he collapsed on the floor suffering from internal bleeding.

He was rushed into hospital for a two-hour surgical procedure to his aorta and superior mesenteric artery. The victim has since made a 'good recovery' from his injuries, the court was told, although he is still afraid to leave his house.

Both defendants were arrested shortly after the attack.

Samuels, of Beaconview Road, West Bromwich, admitted wounding and possession of a knife. He was said to have failed to have realised the seriousness of the incident.

His counsel, Miss Amy Jacobs, said: "He did accept the bulk of the wrongdoing. He is a young man and there is still potential for him to turn his life around."

Kudhlakwazinda, of Waterside Avenue, Wednesbury, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife and affray.

The court was told that he had shown 'genuine remorse' and had seen the error of his ways.

Judge John Warner jailed Samuels for eight years and three months.

He said: "The victim was doing nothing at all to deserve what happened. He had the misfortune to met you two when you were out and about with knives.

"It was down to pure chance that he didn't die."