A man who smashed his way into a house party with a "truly terrifying weapon" and slashed another man's face, leaving him scarred for life, has been jailed. Harlie Johns pulled a knife from his trousers when an argument broke out about how to cause someone the most pain in a fight.
He threatened to stab the victim or his partner before slashing the victim in the face, neck and stomach, a court heard. The 20-year-old was jailed for four-and-a-half years at Newcastle Crown Court, exactly two years after the incident in South Shields.
Attack details
The court heard that in the early hours of November 9, 2024, Johns, Connor Scarth, Charlie Hatch and Jason Cassidy were drinking with the victim when the argument took place. The pair went outside and Johns, who was 18 at the time, produced the "truly terrifying" and "highly dangerous" weapon, Recorder Nathan Moxon said.
The victim smashed a glass to deter the attack and ran back inside the house. But when he refused to come back outside, Johns, Scarth, Hatch and Cassidy smashed their way back into the house, where the victim managed to push his partner out of harm's way before being attacked.
Victim impact
In a victim impact statement, the victim said he had been left with "multiple permanent scars" and is reminded of what happened every time he looks in the mirror and "has nightmares" about Johns attacking him.
The court heard that the men fled the house following the attack but three were arrested a short time later.
Sentencing
Sentencing the men, Mr Moxon said: "This scenario involved a dangerous mix of immature young men, fuelled by alcohol and bravado, and the presence of a knife. The court so frequently see this combination of factors ending with young men being killed. Fortunately, your actions were not fatal, but they did result in significant injury."
Johns, of Norham Avenue South, South Shields, was jailed for four-and-a-half years for intentional wounding, 18 months for violent disorder and 10 months for possession of a bladed article, all to be served concurrently.
Hatch, 21, of Norham Avenue South, South Shields, and Cassidy, 21, of Sunniside Drive, South Shields, were both sentenced to 18 months for violent disorder, suspended for two years. Scarth, 21, of Warkworth Avenue, South Shields, received a 16-month sentence for violent disorder, suspended for two years.
All four defendants were handed a five-year restraining order, banning them from contacting the victim. They also have to complete a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.
