6:12pm Wednesday 9th May 2007
A TEENAGER was jailed for stabbing a man he wrongly assumed was sleeping with his girlfriend.
The 17-year-old from Grays, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was just 16 when he held a knife to the throat of victim Danny Tubby, who was 20 at the time of the attack.
As the pair struggled, Mr Tubby was stabbed under the arm, stabbed in the bicep, sliced the tendons of his left thumb and had a cut on his neck.
The defendant pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Andrew Hope, the defence barrister described the incident as "an affair of the heart" and explained how the teenager reacted emotionally rather than considering his actions.
He saw red after seeing Mr Tubby's trainers by the front door of his girlfriend's house, in the early hours of August 13, last year.
She had gone next door to ask her boyfriend for cigarettes, after she had enjoyed a night out with friends.
But when the defendant went into her house he felt threatened by the presence of Mr Tubby, who was already in a long-term relationship with another girl.
The defendant went home and got a six-inch kitchen knife, which he held against Mr Tubby's throat.
After the struggle the defendant was found in his back garden and the knife was by his front door.
There were tears from the defendant's family as Judge Philip Clegg sentenced the youngster to 18-months detainment and training, saying he was not a danger to society.
Judge Clegg said: "For some time you had been in love with the girl next door.
"But you jumped to the wrong conclusion and you did the most stupid thing you will ever do.
"You went downstairs, got a knife, went next door and held that knife to his throat.
"You could have killed him.
"Get your penalty done and go back to being a decent man."
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk