Stabbings with ‘credit card knife’ admitted
A 29-year-old has admitted stabbing a man eight times with a tiny “credit card knife” during a central Christchurch fracas.
The victim was arrested for fighting and he only realised he had been stabbed when he took his shirt off at the police station when he was being processed.
Police described them as “puncture wounds” on his torso and back. He needed treatment at hospital.
Steven John Williams, a driver, pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court to a charge of wounding the victim with intent to injure. Police had agreed to reduce the charge from wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Paul Scott said the incident happened during a 3.30am altercation on October 11, at the corner of Lichfield and High Streets.
The stabbing victim began arguing with one of Williams’ associates and there was some pushing and shoving.
Williams stood about 2m away and took out his wallet. He took out a credit card knife which has a plastic blade attached. He showed it to his associates but held it behind his back.
While the argument continued, Williams stabbed the victim six times in the back and then walked away. The fight involving several people continued. Williams returned and stabbed the victim twice more before security staff intervened.
Sergeant Scott said Williams admitted the offending when he was shown the CCTV footage. He said he could not remember the incident and felt sick about what had happened.
Defence counsel Craig Ruane said Williams wished to attend a restorative justice conference if the victim was willing. He said the victim had not known he had been stabbed until he was examined at the police station. The puncture wounds were relatively shallow.
“I am not saying it was not serious, but these were not life-threatening injuries,” Mr Ruane said.
Judge Jane Farish granted bail and remanded Williams for sentencing on January 27. In the meantime, a restorative justice meeting may be held, and a pre-sentence report will be prepared to consider his suitability for home detention.
But she warned him that the sentencing judge may decide it was so serious that he should be imprisoned. She also gave him a first strike warning.
Category: Focus
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