Hartlepool couple locked up for 'revenge' knife attack

Joshua Walker was told he was lucky not to be facing a more significant charge after he was found guilty of wounding with intent after he stabbed the man in the head.

His partner, Bethany Howard, was found to have passed the knife to the 27-year-old when the bumped into their victim in May last year near to Stranton Primary school, Hartlepool.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the violent confrontation was captured on CCTV which showed the pair chasing the man down the street following an initial clash near Southburn Terrace and Moyne Gardens.

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Sam Faulks, prosecuting, said the ‘revenge attack’ left the victim with a two-centimetre cut to his face which resulted in him suffering a chip to the bone of his temple.

The court heard how Walker lashed out when he was arrested and racially abused one of the officers when he was taken to the police station.

Joshua Walker (Image: Cleveland Police)

The 27-year-old, of Grange Road, Hartlepool, was found guilty of wounding with intent, racially aggravated assault and possession of a bladed article.

Uzma Khan, mitigating, said her client’s mental health had improved while he had been remanded in custody as he was no receiving proper treatment for his ADHD.

She added: “This was not a premeditated attack; it wasn’t like he went out looking for him – it was a chance encounter.”

Howard, of Charterhouse Street, Hartlepool, was found guilty of possession of a bladed article and section 20 assault.

Bethany Howard (Image: Cleveland Police)

Shaun Dryden, mitigating, said the 30-year-old had been recalled on licence as a result of her latest offence after being jailed for six years for robbery in 2018 – which expired today (May 15).

He added: “She has managed to make good use of her time in custody doing a number of courses. Now she is settled and no longer taking drugs, things are going rather well for her.”

Judge Tony Brown told the pair they were lucky not to facing a more serious charge after their victim was stabbed in the face.

Addressing Walker, he added: “It is only good luck that you hit his temple; two inches lower the injury could have been a lot worse.

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“I watched the CCTV footage, it may well have been at the start he was ready for a confrontation but you followed him down the street, cornered him and you then stabbed him.

“You had the opportunity to walk away from the incident but you didn’t.”

Walker was sentenced to six years in custody with a three-extended licence period once he is released.

And dealing with Howard, the judge locked her up for 27 months for her role in the violence.