Street fight dealer 'centimetres from killing man'

James Sinclair admitted multiple offences

A cannabis dealer who slashed a man's neck in a street fight and carried on selling drugs after being arrested has been jailed for more than six years.

James Sinclair, 33, was within "centimetres" of fatally wounding the man in Newcastle in April 2024, a judge at the city's crown court said.

He was already being investigated by police for selling cannabis, having twice had his home raided and thousands of pounds worth of drugs seized, the court heard.

Sinclair admitted intentional wounding, possession of a knife and two counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, but was found not guilty of supplying cocaine.

Police found £2,300 worth of cannabis and other drugs paraphernalia in Sinclair's bedroom when they searched his home on 23 August 2023, prosecutor Neil Pallister said.

Mobile phones were also seized and Sinclair was released on bail while the devices were investigated, the court heard.

'Clearly very dangerous'

Officers raided his home again on 1 November 2023 and found £5,120 of cannabis, proving he was still dealing the drug, Mr Pallister said.

On 9 April last year Sinclair, of Ayton Street in Byker, became involved in a fight with another man near Northumberland Street in Newcastle city centre.

The men exchanged blows and Sinclair knocked the other man, who had a cast on his arm, to the floor, the court heard.

A knife fell from one of the men but it was not clear which of them had been carrying it, Mr Pallister said.

Sinclair picked up the blade, held the other man down and then slashed at his neck leaving a 4in-long (10cm) wound, the court heard.

Recorder Anthony Dunne said it was a "clearly very dangerous" action and Sinclair was "no more than centimetres at most away from inflicting a fatal injury".

He was jailed for one year three months for the drug dealing and four years 10 months for the wounding, to be served consecutively.