Belper man who stabbed Costa worker in head jailed

Police placed a cordon around Costa following the attack last September

A man who stabbed a Costa Coffee worker in the head after he refused to let him charge his vape has been jailed.

Darren Laken, 31, stole a packet of knives before returning to the shop in King Street, Belper, to stab the worker after a dispute on 16 September 2023.

The victim suffered wounds to his head and arms after he was struck 10 to 12 times.

Laken, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years at Derby Crown Court on Thursday.

The court heard Laken, who was homeless at the time, had earlier visited the coffee shop to use the toilet.

As he left, he asked a worker if he could charge his vape but was told it was against the store's rules.

Laken then walked to The Lion Hotel on the A6, where he assaulted a staff member and poured wine over a desk and computer.

Another member of staff broke a bone in his hand when trying to pull him off the man, the court heard.

Darren Laken, 31, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft and criminal damage

Laken went on to steal a packet of knives from Poundland in King Street before throwing them away apart from a Stanley-type blade.

Returning to Costa, he walked behind the counter and launched a vicious attack on the same staff member.

Witnesses said Laken struck him 10 to 12 times and said, "That's what you get for calling me a liar".

The court heard the worker was helped by customers who issued first aid until emergency services arrived.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the worker said the attack has left him "always looking over my shoulder."

Laken pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft and criminal damage.

He was jailed for six years and given an extended sentence of four years on licence.