Teenager jailed over attempted robbery stabbing

Ali Thomas King, 18, was jailed for three years at York Crown Court

An 18-year-old man has been jailed after he stabbed his victim in the hand during an attempted robbery in Scarborough.

Ali Thomas King, along with two other teenagers, met the victim in Scarborough town centre, where he brandished a 12-inch (30cm) knife and demanded money.

After the 19-year-old man tried to escape and run home, he was chased by the group and attacked.

King, of Scalby Gate, Falsgrave Road, was sentenced to three years in a young offender institution at York Crown Court on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and attempted robbery.

The court heard the victim had been punched several times by King, while the teenagers blocked the doorway to his home.

He was also stabbed in the hand and sustained a large laceration which severed a nerve and left him requiring reconstructive surgery.

King and 19-year-old Kristen Mennel were located a short time after the incident and arrested at an address together.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested a few hours later at another address.

All three were charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and attempted robbery and on 30 June, King pleaded guilty to both charges.

The other two teenagers pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, but not guilty to wounding with intent, which was accepted by prosecutors.

'Horrific attack'

The 17-year-old boy received a youth referral order and was ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work and will be subject to electronic monitoring for three months.

Mennel is due to be sentenced at the same court on 4 September.

Det Con Sam Rivers said: "This was a horrific attack in broad daylight, on a Sunday afternoon, right in the heart of Scarborough town centre.

"Every one of us has seen the devastation knife crime can cause.

"A split-second decision can ruin lives and, in this case, has left the victim with injuries and scarring both physical and mental that will likely last a lifetime."

He praised the victim for his courage and hoped the sentences would provide him with closure.

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