Teenager jailed following Birmingham stabbing

6 September 2019, 16:37 | Updated: 6 September 2019, 16:39

A teenager has been jailed for seven years after stabbing a gardener on Shirley Road, Birmingham in March.

Patrick Dowling, aged 19, was with a 17-year-old girl when she launched a tirade of abuse towards three unsuspecting passers-by.

Dowling tried to get the teen away, but she started throwing punches at one of the men.

Two of the passers-by got in a taxi, but Dowling turned on the third, produced a knife and stabbed him to his arm and chest, before fleeing the scene with his accomplice. The 68-year-old managed to call 999 himself and was rushed to hospital.

Ten minutes later, Dowling called an ambulance from his home address in Yarnfield Road, Tyseley after receiving slash wounds to his hand which were self-inflicted during the attack.

Aware of the stabbing nearby and the similarity in descriptions, ambulance colleagues informed police who then arrested Dowling and the girl. She became violent and had to be restrained after kicking out at one officer. A body search later revealed the knife hidden in the waistband of her trousers after Dowling allegedly asked her to take care of it.

Dowling pleaded guilty to wounding and possession of an offensive weapon and today (6 September) at Birmingham Crown Court was sentenced to seven years in prison.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, assault on an emergency worker and assault and has been given a youth rehabilitation order.

Detective Constable Karen Kirman from force CID, said: “This was a nasty unprovoked attacked on three innocent members of the public. The eldest victim has been left with permanent scarring and has no use of his arm, leaving him unable to work as a gardener due to their mindless actions.

“We take knife crime incredibly seriously and hope this sentencing provides some solace to the victim and his family.