Southampton: Boy jailed for stabbing teen in fist fight

The boy, then aged 15, was due to fight the 18-year-old on Perran Road in Millbrook on Friday, May 19 this year.

But things escalated when the boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - pulled out a weapon and stabbed him in the chest before running off.

Detective Sergeant Gary Stamp of Southampton’s Criminal Investigation Department said: “The victim in this case survived the injuries inflicted on him, but the outcome could have been significantly worse."

Emergency services were sent to the scene at 6.32pm that day and the man was rushed to hospital with what were described at the time as 'serious but not life-threatening injuries'. He was treated and later discharged.

The stabbing left residents in the area feeling scared.

One resident, a 39-year-old woman who asked not to be named, described the situation of knife crime as “absolutely out of control” at the time.

She added: "Why are there children carrying knives? It's never going to end, it's just getting worse.”

The boy was tracked down by cops and eventually charged with section 18 - grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He pleaded not guilty at Southampton Crown Court, however, a jury found him guilty of the offence last month.

Police on the scene at Perran Road, Southampton, after a stabbing. (Image: Daily Echo)

READ MORE: 'Scary and out of control': Residents shocked after stabbing in Millbrook

On Monday, at the same court, he was jailed for two and a half years.

Detective Sergeant Stamp said: “We are working hard to tackle knife crime in Southampton and will continue doing everything we can to ensure those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice.”

He added the force is making proactive efforts to target knife carriers and remove weapons from the streets.

Southampton Chief Inspector Chris Douglas said that the force will never tolerate the carrying of knives.

He said: “Making the decision to pick up a bladed weapon creates the very real risk that you could kill or seriously injure someone.

"This case makes that shocking reality clear.

“We are working relentlessly to reduce knife crime in partnership with other key agencies in the city including Southampton City Council, the Youth Justice Service, the Violent Crime Reduction Unit and the Violent Crime Taskforce.

“Officers continue carrying out daily foot patrols in areas where knife crime is a concern, with hundreds of dedicated patrols having taken place over the past few months. “

He added the force has been conducting regular knife sweeps, educational talks in schools and working with other agencies to establish long-term solutions to knife-related violence and re-offending.