Two teenage thugs stabbed another boy in a McDonald’s thinking he was someone else.
The 15-and-16-year-olds left a boy in a life-threatening condition with members of the public having to perform lifesaving first aid to the victim.
The two boys have been sentenced after admitting the attack which left their victim in hospital for over a month.
A court heard that the teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked the 17-year-old having mistaken him for someone else in the group he was with.
The thugs switched off their phones before stabbing the boy in McDonalds in Liverpool Road, Worthing in February.
The 17-year-old victim needed surgery and spent a month in hospital after he “lost a kidney” but is since making a steady recovery.
On October 6 at Lewes Crown Court, the 15-year-old boy admitted wounding with intent, affray and possession of a bladed article in relation to the February 13 attack.
He was given a rehabilitation order, a six-month curfew and will not be allowed in Worthing town centre for two years.
The 16-year-old boy admitted wounding without intent, affray and possession of a bladed article. He also admitted a separate count of wounding without intent related to a separate incident in Shoreham Railway Station in 2021.
MOST READ:
-
'Part of the soul of Brighton' - Fatboy Slim supports under-threat music pub with gig
-
'Danger to life': Second weather warning issued for Sussex ahead of Storm Ciaran
To have access to all of our best stories subscribe to The Argus here
He was sent to a young offender’s institution for five months.
Sussex Police chief inspector Sarah Leadbeatter, district commander for Adur and Worthing, commended officers and the member of the public who provided lifesaving first aid.
She said: “This was a really distressing incident that occurred within a busy fast food restaurant in the middle of Worthing Town centre and I don’t underestimate the impact it would have had on those who saw the incident unfold.
“I would like to thank the members of public who came forward and supported my officers and staff in providing lifesaving first aid to the victim.
Get more stories delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our morning newsletter
“I also want to thank those people who came forward with information to ensure that those involved in this incident were swiftly arrested.
“These convictions demonstrate our continued determination to tackle knife crime and to ensure that dangerous offenders are taken off our streets.
“Both boys involved have been sentenced at court, with one serving a period of detention, and the other boy who lives outside the area being the subject of an exclusion order to prevent him coming to Worthing.
“Sussex Police continue to work in close partnership with partner agencies as we continue to respond to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour from small groups of young people in and around Worthing.
“However, these issues cannot be solved by police alone, and require a combined partnership but also community approach.
"We work closely with agencies including the British Transport Police, youth justice teams, and with local authorities to tackle these issues.
“I would encourage anyone with concerns or information regarding knife crime to report online or via 101. In an emergency always dial 999.
“If you don’t want to speak to police then contact either Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or Fearless.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel