Six years for man who stabbed friend
James Waterall
A 20-year-old Ilkeston man was sentenced to six years in prison last Thursday for stabbing his best friend after a night out.
James Waterall stabbed Terry Bently three times with the kitchen knife and punctured his lung following a drunken row during the birthday celebrations on June 9 last year.
Derby Crown Court was told how Waterall had then pulled the knife out again, despite being first-aid trained and knowing this would make the wound worse.
As Judge Ebraham Mooncey sentenced Waterall he said: “Despite Mr Bently imploring you not to use it [the knife] you did, more than once.
“He wants nothing more to do with you – he had hoped to take up a career in the army but is now a changed person.
“He is weary of people now and has no sympathy for you.”
Waterall had admitted stabbing Mr Bently but denied wounding with intent to cause serious bodily harm after the incident at a friend’s flat on Mill Lane, Ilkeston, in the early hours of June 10.
Judge Mooncey told the court how Waterall and Mr Bentley had been ‘like brothers.’
On the night of the incident they and other friends had shared a ‘fishbowl’ – a strong, communal alcoholic drink with straws in a pub before going back to a friend’s flat.
He added: “It would seem getting drunk was the main priority.”
The court was told how Waterall had been having a play fight with a friend when he was allegedly kicked from behind by Mr Bently.
An argument broke out and ended with the stabbing.
Julia King, prosecuting, said Mr Bently’s injuries had a big impact on his life.
She added: “He had to attend hospital on numerous occasions, suffered chest pains and he may be prevented from joining the Army.”
“He hopes the defendant learns from this and nobody else is assaulted by him in future.”
Before sentencing Waterall Judge Mooncey added: “Despite saying you were drunk you put forward a detailed case.”
The judge said the youth had denied himself mitigation by showing no remorse and by refusing to admit the charge.
Chudi Grant, mitigating, said Waterall was genuinely remorseful for what he had done.
He added: “The reality is that spending his early 20s behind bars will have a big impact on him for many years to come.”
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Weather for Ilkeston
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
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