Birmingham Man Jailed For Meat Cleaver Attack

17 April 2019, 15:24 | Updated: 17 April 2019, 15:27

A man from Birmingham has been jailed for 15 years following a string of violent offences, including a meat cleaver attack on group of men in a pub beer garden.

Shayne Thomas started an "unprovoked and frenzied" attack on a 43-year-old man with the cleaver as he argued with others at the Cock Inn pub in Jiggins Lane, Bartley Green on 10 November last year.

Two men tried to intervene as Thomas stamped on the man’s face and body but - as they tried to pull the 22-year-old away - they were hit with the blade before Thomas fled the scene.

All three victims suffered deep cuts to their faces and hands, leaving life-long scarring.

At a house party days later Thomas targeted one of his friends, pulling him around the flat by his beard and attempting to break his arm before cutting off all of his hair and threatening him with a pair of scissors.

He later made several phone calls to his friend, blackmailing him for money and threatening his girlfriend and family.

Thomas’ victims were unwilling to give evidence so officers pursued a victimless prosecution.

At Birmingham Crown Court Thomas, of Kingsbridge Road, Bartley Green, pleaded guilty and was jailed for 15 years for three counts of wounding, 18 months for possession of a bladed article, 18 months for assault and three years for blackmail – all to run concurrently.

He also received a five year extended licence and will be ineligible to apply for parole until he has served 15 years of his sentence.

Detective Constable Darren Lennox, from Force CID, said: “This is an excellent result to see such a violent man behind bars.

“Thomas caused so much fear and pain to the people around him and I am pleased he will be unable to walk the streets for many years to come.”