A MAN who chased another into a shop stockroom and stabbed him with scissors in a “vicious” attack over drugs has pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Ryan McLean, 39, stabbed Louis Theodorou in the back room of Rishi News in South Street, Portslade, on February 27.
At the time of the attack, McLean, of Moyne Close, Hove, was identified as a suspect and a Crimestoppers reward of £3,000 was offered for information leading to his arrest.
The stabbing had "understandably caused concern in the local area", said police.
Officers located McLean in the Dingle area of Liverpool shortly after 10pm on Friday, April 29.
He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
At Hove Crown Court yesterday he pleaded guilty to both offences.
Theodorou was taken to hospital for treatment for what police said at the time were serious injuries.
Isabel Delamere, prosecuting, told Judge Christine Henson QC that while Theodorou’s injuries were not as bad as first thought, McLean was currently in breach of a 16-week suspended sentence for possessing a knife in public in April last year.
As well as pleading guilty to the offences during the plea and trial preparation hearing at Hove Crown Court, McLean also acknowledged he was in breach of the suspended sentence.
Judge Henson ordered an assessment of McLean’s “dangerousness” before remanding him in custody to HM Prison Elmley.
He will be sentenced on Friday, July 15, for the breach, having the scissors and grievous bodily harm with intent, which is contrary to section 18 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861.
Such a charge is indictable-only, which means it must be heard in the crown court, and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Graeme Jones, defending, told the court the scissors were never found.
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