A man who attacked a teenager with a machete on a London bus has been jailed for 58 months. Nathan Johnson, 32, of Kirkley Close, Gosforth, admitted wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article, and assault by beating at Newcastle Crown Court.
The incident occurred after a funeral when the 17-year-old victim and his partner were walking past Johnson's home. Johnson had assaulted his partner, leaving her on the ground, and the teenager helped her retrieve her dog and called the police. Johnson then emerged with a machete and struck the teenager on the leg, causing a serious wound.
In a separate case, Gary Williamson, 55, was jailed for three years and nine months for arson after setting fire to his flat in Wallsend while drunk. He had consumed three-quarters of a bottle of vodka, four litres of cider, and several cans of lager before starting the fire, which endangered the lives of neighbours in the block of eight flats. A passing motorist alerted police, and residents were evacuated.
Graeme Berry, a serial road menace, was also jailed for dangerous driving. He crashed into another car while on bail for a previous dangerous driving offence, causing whiplash to the other driver and a broken leg to a passenger in his car. Berry, who had been banned from driving since 2009, fled the scene of the crash.
