A row over a dumped fridge led to a man being stabbed multiple times in a residential street in Anfield. Dean Purvis, 37, grabbed a hammer during a heated argument with Christopher Lee, who responded "I'll get my one, I'll get my one then" before arming himself with a large knife.
The incident occurred on Bala Street in Anfield at around 10.30pm on August 18 last year. CCTV captured at the scene showed Purvis pulling up in his white van and exchanging angry words with Christopher Lee, 33, before exiting his vehicle with a hammer in his hand.
Seven to nine stab wounds
Christopher Lee disappeared for a moment before returning with the blade, and Purvis was disarmed as the two men grappled with each other against the bonnet of a nearby car. Christopher Lee's dad David Lee, 69, also became involved, picking up the hammer which Purvis had dropped and brandishing it in the air while threatening "do you want it?"
Purvis, of Bala Street in Anfield, suffered "seven to nine" stab wounds in the struggle, including one to his back. On the CCTV, a man could be heard shouting "drop the knife lad, just drop it", before Purvis exclaimed "ah s***, get me an ambulance please".
Purvis then got back into his van and drove away, but reversed back into shot a few seconds later and crashed into another vehicle. He ran back towards the scene and left on foot again as a man's voice was heard saying: "Stay there you little muppet."
Court appearances
Christopher and David Lee, both of Hereford Drive, Netherton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, October 7. Christopher Lee admitted affray and possession of a bladed article in a public place and was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. David Lee pleaded guilty to a public order offence and received a six month community order.
Today, October 9, Purvis appeared for sentence, having pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place previously.
Kevin Liston, prosecuting, said Purvis was "a man who has had convictions of causing disorder and of violence." He said the 37-year-old had 21 previous convictions for 26 offences, including matters of public disorder, robbery, assault, and racially aggravated public order.
Defence and sentencing
Barry Grennan, defending, said: "He had serious injuries and is probably only here because of the bone obstructing the position of the knife. There were multiple stab wounds, seven to nine, one of which was on his back."
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday that there had been a "suggestion of a background of issues with other neighbours in the street". Mr Grennan said: "There has been significant fly-tipping in the area where he lived. There was a fridge being fly tipped; he took exception to it."
However, the judge said there was no concession from the Crown that either Christopher or David Lee was involved in the fly-tipping.
Mr Grennan said: "He should have stayed in his van, not got out, and driven away. He didn't to that and as a consequence of that he received multiple stab injuries, and in my submission there's no evidence whatsoever of a single injury on any of the other people involved in this incident.
"There's a degree of self punishment the defendant has had to endure. The incident has caused him ever since significant mental issues. He has been unable to view the video footage and he find it very distressing to see that he was being stabbed on a number of occasions. I ask Your Honour to take account of that, because that is something that will remain with him for the rest of his life.
"He's had difficulties in the past with ADHD and dyslexia and he has been significantly depressed since this incident and has spent time in custody as well."
Sentencing Purvis, judge Katherine Pierpoint said: "You were in your van, you stopped your van, there was a verbal altercation between you and Christopher Lee. Whatever that was about it doesn't excuse your behaviour. You were in your van and could have locked the door, reversed and left that area. Unfortunately you didn't.
"You accepted that at the time you just weren't thinking properly. You were angry, you acted impulsively, and instead of driving away you went over and got yourself a mallet, as a result of which Christopher Lee armed himself with a knife, and the two of you shouted threats at each other.
"You were subjected to an number of puncture wounds as a result of the affray, and I accept you did suffer serious injury as a result of this incident. That's something I do need to take into account.
"But what you have pleaded guilty to is criminal behaviour. You should have driven away. If you did, this would never have happened."
She sentenced Purvis to a total of 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
