Teesside Man Jailed For Sword Attack

1 December 2014, 16:31 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man from Teesside who slashed a male in the back with a samurai sword has been jailed for five years after his terrifying attack was caught on camera by a witness.

An amateur photographer snapped Gareth Devlin, 28, from Port Clarence, brandishing the fearsome weapon in the street in July.

The cameraman handed the pictures to the police who were investigating after a man was slashed in the back with the sword.

Devlin admitted wounding with intent, affray and possession of an offensive weapon, a court official confirmed.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, the Recorder of Middlesbrough sitting at Teesside Crown Court, jailed him for five years.

Another man had previously admitted affray.

Both men were wearing hoods in an attempt to disguise themselves.

Outside court, Detective Constable Alan O'Donoghue, of Cleveland Police, said:

``We very much welcome the sentence given today.

``It sends a clear message that people cannot behave in this way, threatening people in broad daylight in the street.

``We will always do all we can to bring offenders before the courts.''