A Latvian national has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for a vicious, unprovoked knife attack on a stranger in Bournemouth.
A Brutal and Unprovoked Assault
The court heard how Maksims Pilko, 22, of Bournemouth, first assaulted a woman in her 30s on February 24 last year. Following a verbal altercation in Richmond Hill, he spat in her face and punched her, causing her to fall to the ground.
When the woman's boyfriend, who was in his 30s, intervened to protect her, Pilko turned on him. The defendant, who was unknown to the couple, stabbed the man nine times in the torso with a flick knife.
Severe Injuries and a Dangerous Offender
The male victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital. He was placed in an induced coma due to the severity of his wounds. Pilko also received a stab wound to his own thigh during the violent altercation.
Officers from Dorset Police attended swiftly and located Pilko near the scene, close to Bournemouth Railway Station, with a silver flick knife nearby.
At Winchester Crown Court, Pilko pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a knife, and assault by beating. He was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison, with an extended licence period of four years.
A History of Violence and Remorse
The court was told that Pilko was already serving a two-year community order at the time of the attack. This order was imposed after he threatened a kebab shop worker with a knife in October 2023. He was also on police bail for being found in possession of a blade and cannabis in June 2023.
In mitigation, his defence counsel Nick Turner said Pilko had a difficult childhood, having left home at 16, and had expressed remorse for his actions.
However, Judge Rufus Taylor described Pilko as 'plainly dangerous'. Detective Constable Lizzie Christie of BCP CID stated the 'violent actions... could easily have had fatal consequences' and praised the police response and investigation for bringing him to justice.
