Man stabbed four times by defendant in Easington street attack

Wayne Bryson lost his temper over a bag containing personal possessions which had gone missing while at the home of a "mutual acquaintance", in Hawthorne Street, Easington Colliery, on February 28.

Durham Crown Court heard he punched the man who he considered was responsible, in the kitchen, but the victim responded with a blow of his own.

The confrontation moved outside into the street, by which time Bryson had armed himself with a kitchen knife.

He used it to stab the other man in the chest,  and as the victim turned to try to flee, Bryson grabbed his clothing and stabbed him three times in the back.

(Image: Durham Constabulary) The defendant then fled while still carrying the knife and members of the public saw him covered in the victim's blood standing at a bus stop.

The police were informed but Bryson was only arrested later in the afternoon at Peterlee Bus Station, having taken a bus from Easington.

Officers recovered the knife, carrying the blood of both the defendant and his victim, from a rubbish bin at the bus station.

The court heard there was great concern for the victim who had to be given an emergency transfusion of blood on his way to hospital.

He suffered two lung puncture wounds and had to have a chest drain fitted for three days.

But he remained in hospital for five days for what were, initially, considered to be, “life-threatening injuries”.

He has since spoken of the "massive impact"  and has been on anti-depressant medication and sleeping pills.

The court heard he no longer wants to leave the house and struggles from day to day.

Bryson made denials over the knife attack and was convicted of wounding with intent and possessing a knife in public following a trial in August.

Judge Geoffrey Marson KC adjourned passing sentence last month to have an assessment of the risk of danger posed by the defendant carried out by the Probation Service.

The 31-year-old defendant, of no fixed abode, appeared at the re-arranged sentencing hearing via video link from HMP Durham where he has been on remand.

Calum McNicholas, in mitigation, said while in custody the defendant has responded well and has a job in waste management, for which he has developed a good working relationship with staff.

Bryson also read a letter penned himself to the judge saying he had been mixing with the wrong crowd and now looks forward to getting back to caring for his family.

Mr McNicholas said while the defendant may have a "blemished record" it was not, necessarily, indicative of someone who falls into the, "dangerous category".

(Image: Durham Constabulary) But Judge Marson disagreed.

He told Bryson: "There was clearly some dispute as far as you were concerned about your missing bag and you were convinced the complainant had something to do with it.

"You became so frustrated that you were to seek a deliberate confrontation and armed yourself for that with a knife.

"You had it on you when you went into the kitchen and landed that first punch on the victim.

"Had things gone a different way there might have been a fight between the pair of you outside.

"But you went out and waited for him and stabbed him close to his left nipple and heart and he tried to get away.

"Then, you stabbed him three times in the back and then fled.

"Ultimately you disposed of the knife."

The judge said but for the prompt medical treatment at the scene and on the way to hospital the victim's injuries could have proved life-threatening.

Judge Marson told Bryson: "You have no remorse for what you did.

"You have past convictions for violence, but at a lower level.

"You also have a previous conviction for possessing a knife, but its rightly pointed out that was some years ago.

"At the time of these offences you were subject of a community order and only two days earlier you were made the subject of a suspended sentence."

Judge Marson said, having read the pre-sentence report, he does consider the defendant poses a danger.

"This was an unprovoked attack where you armed yourself with a knife before the confrontation, no doubt intending that you might use it."

He said the use of alcohol and drugs, at times, leads to "unpredictable behaviour", with a tendency by the defendant to minimise that behaviour.

The judge, therefore, imposed an extended determinate sentence featuring a custodial element of eight-and-a-half years.

Bryson must serve at least two-thirds of that sentence before being eligible for consideration for release by the Parole Board.

But when he is released, he will be subject to a four-year extended licence period.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Sergeant Anthony Wild, from Peterlee CID, said: “The devastating and lasting impact of knife crime on individuals, families, and communities cannot be overstated.

“Although our county has one of the lowest rates of knife crime in the country, we remain committed to reducing weapon-based violence across our patch and will ensure those involved in this type of activity, like Bryson, face the consequences.

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Our duty is to ensure public safety and to relentlessly pursue those who carry and use weapons.”

He added that Durham Police is taking part in a knife surrender operation from Monday, November 11.

Further details will be given on the force's social media for more information on how to dispose of knives anonymously at its stations.