Knife used in street attack

A HOLLOWAY teenager who cut a man’s artery with a huge knife in what police have described as “a shocking crime of violence” has pleaded guilty in court.

The 17-year-old youth admitted grievous bodily harm with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon, at Blackfriars Crown Court.

The court heard that in the early hours of February 15 the victim, a 27-year-old man, was walking along Pentonville Road when he encountered the teenager, who was near the doorway of a fast-food restaurant.

A trivial argument ensued and they squared up to each other in the street. The accused pulled out a large combat knife and stabbed the victim in the groin. The resulting wound severed the artery in his leg and he had to be rushed to hospital to save his life.

He sustained life-changing injuries, had to undergo four operations and almost lost his leg.

The teenager will be sentenced on July 21.

Detective Constable Steffan Evans said: “This was a shocking crime of violence, which has had a devastating effect on the victim. We could find no evidence of any connection between the defendant and victim and the motive appears to have been just a trivial argument.

“The defendant had armed himself with a vicious combat knife and its subsequent use could have been deadly. It was only the rapid intervention of paramedics that stopped this being a murder investigation.

“This youth’s early plea acknowledges the overwhelming evidence against him. We were determined to swiftly arrest the person responsible and bring them to justice.”