Chester-le-Street ex-serviceman launched stab attack in feud

County Durham man stabbed victim during long running feud <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
County Durham man stabbed victim during long running feud (Image: Newsquest)
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A long-running feud between two men came to a violent head when one of them stabbed the other with a knife leaving him with a serious leg injury.

Christian Turner turned up at the victim’s house already armed with the weapon, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 44-year-old ex-serviceman then attacked the man - who was subject to a restraining order to stay away from his family members.

Recorder Taryn Turner told the defendant he should not have taken the law into his own hands when he attacked the victim.

She added: “There had been a lengthy and significant history between you and the complainant. He was at the time the subject of a restraining order to protect members of your family

“There is evidence that he had previously made threats towards your family and had been convicted of conduct giving rise to that restraining order.

“None of that entitled you to take the law into your own hands.”

Nick Adlington, prosecuting, said Turner turned up at the victim’s Sacriston address armed with a knife and stabbed him in the leg during the altercation.

In a victim impact statement, the man said he still has a scar on his calf and suffers from mental trauma as a result of the attack.

Turner, of Cedar Avenue, Kimblesworth, Chester-le-Street, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and possession of an offensive weapon following the incident on August 10, 2022.

Andrew Espley, mitigating, said his client had expressed genuine remorse for the attack on the victim and urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence.

The judge sentenced Turner to two years in custody suspended for two years.

Turner was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order.

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