Man stabbed teen in fight over coronavirus lockdown rules

Ian Bryan attacked a 17-year-old boy who was carrying out engineering works next door to his home in St Margaret's Road, St Leonards, on April 22.

The teen and his 32-year-old colleague were staying at the property while they completed the work.

But Bryan believed they should not be there due to coronavirus restrictions, and later attacked the men with knives after reporting them to police.

Police and paramedics were called to St Margaret's Road in St Leonards following a dispute over coronavirus lockdown restrictions

Tensions first flared between the unemployed 58-year-old and the workmen early on the evening of April 22.

Bryan challenged the pair, asking them why they were there and making clear his belief that, under the government's "stay home" guidance, they should not be staying at the property.

The engineers then left the address at 8pm, and shortly after this Bryan called the police to report the men for breaching Covid-19 restrictions.

The pair returned at 8.35pm, prompting Bryan to, again, reach for his phone.

This time he dialled the police non-emergency number and told the force "he was still feeling troubled about the victim’s actions towards him".

Ian Bryan, 58, of St Margaret's Road in St Leonards, has been jailed after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed

Just minutes after he made this call, the workmen heard several loud bangs on their front door.

The 17-year-old answered the door and was set upon by an armed Bryan, suffering a serious stab wound to his neck during the attack.

The 32-year-old man then joined the fray, and was able to rebuff Bryan. He suffered a minor injury to his leg during the altercation.

He and the teenager then ran into the street and called an ambulance shortly before 9.30pm.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene and found Bryan to be in possession of two knives.

• READ MORE: Police called to St Margaret's Road in St Leonards after suspected stabbing

The 58-year-old would not co-operate with officers commands and refused to drop the blades.

Eventually he was Tasered and arrested.

The 17-year-old victim was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for emergency surgery.

He was able to recover from his wound, and was discharged from the site a few days later.

Bryan was also taken to hospital for treatment to injuries sustained during the attack.

After being discharged, he was taken into custody for questioning and was subsequently charged with two counts of attempted murder.

He appeared at Brighton Crown Court as part of a week-long trial which concluded yesterday.

A unanimous jury found him not guilty of attempted murder, but guilty of wounding with intent and attempted wounding with intent.

Police in St Leonards on the night of the incident

As a result, he has been jailed for 14 years.

Detective Inspector Pippa Nicklin of Hastings CID said: “Ian Bryan left his property that night armed with a knife, showing clear intent to cause the victims harm.

"His violent actions left a 17-year-old boy with an incredibly serious neck injury that required emergency surgery.

“Thanks to a thorough and swift police investigation, Bryan was convicted at court.

"We are pleased the length of the sentence reflects the severity of the attack and that a dangerous offender has been put in prison."