TWO MEN SENTENCED FOLLOWING STABBING IN HALEWOOD

Two men have been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today (Monday 8 April 2019) for their part in a stabbing incident in Halewood in July last year.

On Tuesday, 3 July, a 32-year-old man was stabbed to the abdomen at a bus stop near The Halewood Shopping Centre in Leathers Lane. The victim ran into a nearby Iceland store and was taken to hospital where he had surgery for punctures to internal organs.

Following extensive enquiries, 24-year-old Anthony Waring of no fixed abode was arrested in the Dorset area on Friday, 5 October, and Elliott Hayes, 19, of Roseheath Drive, Halewood was arrested in Halewood.

Hayes – who kicked the victim before he was stabbed by Waring - pleaded guilty to common assault and received a community order and fine.

Waring pleaded guilty to Section 18 wounding and has been sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment.

A 24-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault was later released with no further action.

Detective Inspector Neil Fletcher said: "This was a shocking attack which left the victim with serious internal injuries, and the physical and emotional impact will be long lasting.

“It took place in a busy shopping centre at a busy time of day, and clearly it would have been traumatic for witnesses to see the incident and immediate aftermath. It is never acceptable to carry a knife and this shows the devastating consequences of carrying weapons.

“I hope today’s result shows that Merseyside Police will do everything within our powers to find the person or people responsible for committing crimes such as this and bringing them to justice.

“We will not tolerate the use of knives on our streets and the force is absolutely committed to eradicating knife crime. Alongside our partners, we will continue to educate, enforce and act on any information given to us, to make the streets safer.”