Jail for Sutton man who stabbed victim until the blade of his knife broke

Conner Williams was in Nottingham city centre, when the confrontation between two groups of young men took place in the early hours of June 2, 2019.

John Hallissey, prosecuting at Nottingham Crown Court, said tempers flared when Williams' group began shouting 'Shottingham' - a reference to Nottingham's reputation for gun violence.

Williams, who was aged 18 at the time, repeatedly stabbed the man, leaving him with a two-to-three centimetre-long wound in his left thigh, ‘perilously close to his femoral artery’, a 4-5cm-long gash below his left buttock, as well as smaller wounds to his shoulder, back and left arm.

Mr Hallissey said: “A police car was flagged down and their swift action undoubtedly saved him from further serious injury.”

Eight pints of blood were needed to keep him stable and a blood clot was discovered which required weekly hospital visits.

Six months later he was still complaining of numbness and said he had to take several months off work and became financially dependent on family and friends.

Williams later told his social worker he was not sorry because the two men other men started it, but claimed he was at home in bed when questioned by police.

In November 2020, police officers challenged him as he left his house and found a kitchen knife in his jacket pocket.

The court heard he has five previous convictions, including three for battery, dating back to when he was 15.

Williams, now aged 21, formerly of Welbeck Street, Sutton, admitted wounding with intent and two counts of possessing a blade.

David Outterside, mitigating, said the victim made ‘a sound recovery’ and Williams was easily influenced by an older offender who has since died.

“The incident wasn't planned,” he said. “The genesis was foolish behaviour and is linked to his inability to consider risks. He didn't anticipate the injuries would be that bad."

Sentencing, Judge Stuart Rafferty KC told Williams his low mental age means he ‘has never grown up and never will’ and is a danger to himself as well as others.

Sentencing him as a child, Judge Rafferty jailed him for seven years.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Ben Grayson, who led the investigation, said: “Williams is exceptionally fortunate not to have been facing a murder charge in relation to this case.

“The victim suffered significant blood loss at the scene and he could quite possibly have lost his life had it not been for the professionalism of all first responders involved.

“Williams may not have set out to hurt anyone that night. However, simply by carrying a knife and then getting into an argument he put himself in a position where he could have destroyed many lives, including his own. This is why we work tireless with our partners to educate people about the risks and dangers of carrying a knife.

“I hope that today’s sentencing shows that there are very real consequences for those who engage in knife crime – you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.”