A man was tasered and threatened with being stabbed during a vicious planned attack.

The man, aged in his 20s, was picked up by Megan McQuade, who took him to Underhill Lane, Clayton, near Hassocks.

When parked up next to another car, the occupants of that vehicle got out and knocked on McQuade’s car.

Christopher Smith, who was known to the victim, and Smith’s friend Stephen McNicol then went on to viciously attack the man.

They threatened to stab him and then he was tasered.

He suffered two broken wrists, but escaped Smith and McNicol and called a friend. He was taken to hospital.

The attack happened on March 12, 2022, at around 10pm.

He was discharged from hospital a day later.

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The victim’s account matched McQuade’s phone movement and contact between McQuade and Smith.

McQuade, of South Coast Road, Peacehaven, McNicol, of Acre Close, Haywards Heath and Smith, of Denham Road, Burgess Hill, were arrested on March 16, March 17 and March 22 respectively.

They were all charged with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent on August 29, 2022.

All three pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Lewes Crown Court on October 24, 2023.

Following a ten-day trial, which began on August 19, 2024, they were found guilty.

McNicol has been sentenced to a total of eight years and two months’ imprisonment.

The 31-year-old had also previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class A drug when he was found with cocaine on 16 July 2022 in Ferndale Road, Burgess Hill.

Smith, 25, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.

McQuade, 22, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. She was also given 200 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months, 20 days of rehabilitation activity and a 12 month disqualification from driving.

Detective Constable Nina Maple said: “This was a violent attack which was pre-planned on a victim who had no idea it was coming.

“Our teams worked really hard to secure charges for this case and after a lot of digital work to trace phone movements, the offenders were held accountable. I hope this sentence provides some assurance to the victim.

“Sussex Police have a zero-tolerance approach to serious violence, and we will put those who commit these offences before the courts.”