A Birmingham judge expressed regret over sentencing Jake Bishop, a 20-year-old, to youth detention for slashing a man’s neck on Broad Street, describing it as a “great shame.”
During the incident, Bishop approached the victim from behind, grabbed him around the neck, and pulled out a knife to make two superficial cuts. He then threatened, “I will kill you,” before stamping on the head of another man involved.
Bishop, who had no previous criminal record, had hoped to follow his father into the military—a dream now jeopardized by his conviction. At Birmingham Crown Court on January 8, he admitted to attempted wounding with intent, possession of a knife in public, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
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Recorder Katya Saudek acknowledged the severity of the charges but described the injury as minor and expressed surprise at the harshness of the attempted wounding charge, stating that Bishop could have caused more serious harm but did not. Despite this, she sentenced him to two years and three months in youth detention, exceeding the threshold for suspending custody.
The attack occurred on September 7 last year after an argument involving Bishop and a group on Broad Street. Two men tried to defuse the situation, but Bishop’s violent actions escalated it. Prosecutor Claire Harris stated that the injury was fortunately not worse, attributing it to luck rather than intent.
Defence lawyer Morgan Pirone highlighted Bishop’s guilty plea as a sign of maturity, though he admitted the young man still has “some growing up to do.” He explained that Bishop carried the knife for self-defense after previously being attacked but acknowledged the damaging consequences.
Recorder Saudek warned of the dangers of carrying knives, emphasizing that spontaneous decisions to use them can lead to serious injury or death. She told Bishop: “You are paying a high price for carrying a knife. You threw away your future plans, and it’s a great shame.”