Daisy Dip stabbing: Southampton trial told of attempted murder

The 16-year-old boy, on trial accused of attempted murder, left his victim fearing he would die in the attack near Daisy Dip in Laburnum Road, Southampton.

Opening the case against the boy, prosecutor Charles Gabb said the teen on trial is the “most fortunate of young men in that he didn’t succeed in killing” 29-year-old Ben Glasspool.

Southampton Crown Court heard Mr Glasspool had gone to Daisy Dip amid a dispute.

Police at Daisy Dip after man stabbed (Image: NQ)

Mr Gabb said it was there that Mr Glasspool was threatened and then stabbed with a sword by the 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, after he and an older boy got out of a Ford car driven by a woman.

Jurors heard the boy dealt a number of blows with the weapon, first hitting his legs, then narrowly missing his throat before attacking both of his arms.

The woman then drove the car closer, causing Mr Glasspool to worry that she was going to hit him, the court heard.

Mr Gabb said the boy delivered a final blow causing a “massive wound” to the upper part of Mr Glasspool's body, cutting through three ribs and puncturing his lung.

The sword then became stuck in his body but was removed before Mr Glasspool collapsed, bleeding on the ground.

He was helped by members of the public and was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery on the 20cm wound in his back.

Mr Gabb told the jury that he was saved due to the “dedication and speedy response of the NHS”.

He added: “Fortunately the general public in the area, those who could assist, did. They did all they could.

“Ben thought that he was just about to die.”

In a police interview played to the jury, Mr Glasspool said: “I just remember thinking this is it. I am going to die.”

The boy “got into the back of the car with the sword and disappeared down the road with [the woman] driving like a proverbial bat out of hell,” Mr Gabb said.

The 16-year-old and an older boy were arrested five days later.

He chose to answer no comment at a police interview but jurors were told he has admitted wounding with intent.

But Mr Gabb said: “His intention at the time was not just to cause Ben Glasspool some really serious physical harm. His intention was to kill him.”

The woman and older boy have also pleaded guilty to offences over the incident.

The trial continues.