Man jailed after stabbing a member of the public on West Street in Fareham
A 44-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of five years - after he admitted stabbing a member of the public
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of five years at Portsmouth Crown Court, after he admitted stabbing a member of the public on West Street in Fareham last year.
The court heard that on Monday 23 September the 32-year-old victim and his partner had been eating in a café on West Street in Fareham.
While in the café they noticed a man staring at them, which made the couple feel uncomfortable.
At around 11am they had left the café and were walking past the traffic lights with Quay Street on West Street when the victim thought that he had been punched from behind by the same man they had seen earlier in the café.
It quickly became clear that he had been stabbed in his back and the couple ran to the police station on Quay Street to seek refuge and help.
A number of members of the public witnessed the incident and called police by dialling 999 to report what they had seen and that the man who had assaulted the victim had put the knife in his pocket and had continued to follow the victim as he headed towards the police station.
When the victim arrived in the front counter area of the police station the Station Enquiry Officer provided him with immediate first aid and took him to a secure room to keep the couple safe. Police officers in the building rushed to assist and arrested the man with the knife who entered the police station shortly afterwards and handed the knife across the counter.
Steven Colin Hardy, 44, of no fixed address was subsequently charged and admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a knife in a public place, and possession of cannabis, prior to a planned trial.
At Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 11 July, Hardy was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of five years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
This means that following the minimum term a decision will be made as to whether Hardy should remain in prison or can serve his sentence on parole.
Additionally he was sentenced to a year in prison to be served concurrently for possession of a knife in a public place, and possession of cannabis.
Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy, District Commander for Fareham said: “The quick actions of the Station Enquiry Officers and members of our Neighbourhood Policing Team helped to ensure that the victim, his partner, or any other members of the public didn’t come to further harm following this shocking incident. I’d like to thank them for their professionalism and dedication to public safety.
“Thankfully the victim’s injuries were not life threatening, but Hardy’s actions could have caused much more serious harm. I really do hope that this sentence helps the victim and his partner to be able to move on with their lives safe in the knowledge that justice has been served.
“We will continue to do all we can to ensure that those who carry knives will face the full consequences for their actions. This case sends a strong message to anyone who chooses to carry a weapon or become involved in serious violence, no good ever comes from it. The consequences can destroy lives forever.”