Shoppers 'fearing for lives' after Primark stabbing

Shoppers were left "fearing for their own lives" after a stabbing in a Primark shop in Nottingham city centre, a court heard.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was handed a 12-month referral order following a hearing at Nottingham Youth Court on Wednesday.

The defendant told magistrates he made "a stupid mistake" in carrying a knife.

As well as a referral order, he has also been banned from Nottingham city centre for a year, and will be subject to a curfew for three months.

The court heard the defendant did not know the two other people who were seen chasing him, one of whom was carrying a broom handle.

Mark Fielding, prosecuting, said the defendant "had gone out that day clearly armed" with a blade estimated to be about 18 inches long, which had not been recovered.

"It appears that an argument evolved, and there was a foot chase through Nottingham," he said.

"There was a bit of an incident outside on the street, before the defendant and the other protagonists in this incident entered the Primark store."

CCTV footage showed the boy being chased by the other two individuals, who followed him into Primark.

Mr Fielding said the defendant turned and appeared to "stand his ground" against his pursuers, with footage showing a short fight.

He said the stabbing victim had refused to co-operate with police or engage with the prosecution, but said his injuries must have been serious "because it appears that the blade entered the chest cavity".

The prosecution also pointed to the effect on shoppers and staff in the store, with Mr Fielding saying they were "terrified for their safety".

"They were fearing for their own lives," he said.

The court heard the defendant rang his mother immediately afterwards, and handed himself into police about an hour later.

Michaela Dunk, defending, said this showed "genuine remorse" on his part, adding he had been carrying a knife due to being in "a state of heightened fear and anxiety", and said CCTV footage showed he did not start the fight.

"He is not the aggressor in this incident," she said.

"This was a fight or flight situation."

The defendant told the court he regretted carrying a knife into the city centre, and avoided associating with his friends from the time as a result while he focused on upcoming exams.

"I just want to keep myself to myself," he said.

"It was a stupid mistake that I made."

The defendant pleaded guilty to wounding without intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place at an earlier hearing.

As part of the referral order, the defendant must undergo a six-week knife crime programme, as well as other schemes covering topics such as healthy relationships and victim awareness.

He will be subject to a curfew keeping him at home from 20:00 to 07:00 for three months, and cannot contact the victim.

Roger Murfin, the presiding justice in the hearing, said it was "commendable" the defendant handed himself into police quickly, and praised his family for providing support, but highlighted the serious impact of the incident, which happened in the city centre on a busy weekend.

"Members of the public were, quite rightly, terrified," he said.

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