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13/03/2009
Four Jailed For New Year Cregagh Stabbing
Four men have been jailed and another given community service after pleading guilty to a stabbing in east Belfast at New Year 2008.
Mr Justice Hart, sitting today in Downpatrick Crown Court, sentenced the five men who pleaded guilty to a variety of charges after forcing their way into a flat and attacking and stabbing one of the occupants.
The court heard that in the early hours of 1 January 2008, a person in a flat in Kilbroney House on the Cregagh estate in Belfast shouted at a group of people who were outside.
Mr Justice Hart said that while the remarks were not of a particularly offensive nature they were "undoubtedly foolish and liable to cause offence".
A few minutes later the five defendants forced their way into the flat - a move that was captured on CCTV.
Once inside, they threatened the occupants with knives, and two - including Ronnie Harbinson who was staying in the flat - fled into the bathroom after which the defendants kicked down the door.
The judge said that "this was a disgraceful and violent incursion into this flat without any real provocation being offered".
However, Mr Harbinson managed to escape and ran down the stairs, pursued by four of the defendants who then attacked him when he slipped and fell.
Crucially, again this was captured on CCTV.
The judge said that defendants Richard Kirk and William Barron were involved in the most serious of the attacks on Mr Harbinson, with Kirk repeatedly stamping on his back and head, and Barron stabbing him when he lay helpless on the ground.
Another of the defendants, Matthew Wood also kicked Mr Harbinson while he lay on the ground.
However, William Wood, who stood by as William Barron stabbed Mr Harbinson, then grabbed Barron's arm to prevent him stabbing Mr Harbinson a third time.
Christopher Acton played a lesser role but accepted that he entered the flat with the knowledge that a knife was to be used to threaten the occupants but said he did not contemplate that they would be injured.
The victim, Mr Harbinson sustained two stab wounds, fractured ribs and a dislocated shoulder in the attack.
Mr Justice Hart said that the attack was "a sustained, cowardly and savage attack on a man lying helpless and unable to defend himself".
In court today, Mr Justice Hart imposed a variety of sentences with all five being guilty of aggravated burglary.
Four were sentenced for intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and causing grievous bodily harm with intent (Acton was not) and Barron was also sentenced for possession of cannabis resin.
William Barron was handed down seven years' detention followed by one years probation as was Richard Kirk.
Matthew Wood received two years' detention followed by one year's probation while William Wood - who stopped Barron from stabbing the victim a third time - was jailed for a lower period of 18 months, also followed by one year's probation.
Christopher Acton's "lesser role" saw him handed 100 hours community service, similarly followed by one year's probation.
(BMcC/JM)
Mr Justice Hart, sitting today in Downpatrick Crown Court, sentenced the five men who pleaded guilty to a variety of charges after forcing their way into a flat and attacking and stabbing one of the occupants.
The court heard that in the early hours of 1 January 2008, a person in a flat in Kilbroney House on the Cregagh estate in Belfast shouted at a group of people who were outside.
Mr Justice Hart said that while the remarks were not of a particularly offensive nature they were "undoubtedly foolish and liable to cause offence".
A few minutes later the five defendants forced their way into the flat - a move that was captured on CCTV.
Once inside, they threatened the occupants with knives, and two - including Ronnie Harbinson who was staying in the flat - fled into the bathroom after which the defendants kicked down the door.
The judge said that "this was a disgraceful and violent incursion into this flat without any real provocation being offered".
However, Mr Harbinson managed to escape and ran down the stairs, pursued by four of the defendants who then attacked him when he slipped and fell.
Crucially, again this was captured on CCTV.
The judge said that defendants Richard Kirk and William Barron were involved in the most serious of the attacks on Mr Harbinson, with Kirk repeatedly stamping on his back and head, and Barron stabbing him when he lay helpless on the ground.
Another of the defendants, Matthew Wood also kicked Mr Harbinson while he lay on the ground.
However, William Wood, who stood by as William Barron stabbed Mr Harbinson, then grabbed Barron's arm to prevent him stabbing Mr Harbinson a third time.
Christopher Acton played a lesser role but accepted that he entered the flat with the knowledge that a knife was to be used to threaten the occupants but said he did not contemplate that they would be injured.
The victim, Mr Harbinson sustained two stab wounds, fractured ribs and a dislocated shoulder in the attack.
Mr Justice Hart said that the attack was "a sustained, cowardly and savage attack on a man lying helpless and unable to defend himself".
In court today, Mr Justice Hart imposed a variety of sentences with all five being guilty of aggravated burglary.
Four were sentenced for intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and causing grievous bodily harm with intent (Acton was not) and Barron was also sentenced for possession of cannabis resin.
William Barron was handed down seven years' detention followed by one years probation as was Richard Kirk.
Matthew Wood received two years' detention followed by one year's probation while William Wood - who stopped Barron from stabbing the victim a third time - was jailed for a lower period of 18 months, also followed by one year's probation.
Christopher Acton's "lesser role" saw him handed 100 hours community service, similarly followed by one year's probation.
(BMcC/JM)
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