"Truly terrifying" - Knife attack at South Shields party left victim scarred for life, court told

A man suffered horror injuries and has been left scarred for life after a terrifying knife attack at a party.

Harlie Johns, Jason Cassidy, Connor Scarth and Charlie Hatch had been at the house gathering with the victim and others in South Shields, on November 9 2024 when the atmosphere suddenly changed.

In the violence that erupted the victim suffered knife injuries to his face, neck, back and wrist and has been left with multiple permanent scars.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Johns and the victim had been discussing where to hit someone to cause the most pain and started threatening each other before a small fight broke out.

The group ended up outside in a back lane, where Johns produced what a judge has said was a "truly terrifying" knife.

Prosecutor Vince Ward said the victim smashed a bottle to protect himself and then went back inside the house.

A witness said Johns, Cassidy, Scarth and Hatch then started trying to coax the victim back out, saying they wanted a "fair fight" but he refused.

Mr Ward added: "All four forced their way back into the house and used so much force getting in that an internal door came off its hinges and they badly damaged a handle on the front door."

The court heard Johns was threatening to stab the victim, whose girlfriend stepped in to try and protect him but she was also threatened with being stabbed.

The victim then pushed his girlfriend on to a sofa to protect her before Johns attacked him with the knife.

He suffered deep lacerations to his nose, a "degloving" cut to his cheek, a laceration to his left shoulder and more superficial injuries to his neck, upper body and wrist.

The traumatised victim said in an impact statement he is reminded of what happened every time he looks in the mirror, has PTSD, suffers anxiety and panic attacks and has nightmares.

He added that his job prospects have been affected and that he feels "everyone looking at him" when in public.

Sentencing the defendants, Recorder Nathan Moxon said the knife used was a "truly terrifying" weapon and added: "This scenario involved a dangerous mix of young men, fuelled by alcohol and bravado and the presence of a knife.

"The courts so frequently see this combination of factors ending with young men being killed.

"Fortunately your actions were not fatal but did result in significant injury."

Johns, 20, of Norham Avenue South, South Shields, admitted wounding with intent, having a bladed article and violent disorder.

He has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Vittoria Trigilio, defending, said Johns is "deeply remorseful", has been in no trouble before or since and had recently suffered a bereavement.

Cassidy, 21, of Sunniside Drive, South Shields, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years, with alcohol abstinence and probation requirements.

Jonathan Walker, defending, said Cassidy is remorseful and has shown "unique levels of honesty and reflection" with the probation service.

Scarth, 21, Warkworth Avenue, South Shields, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced to 16 months, suspended for two years, with alcohol abstinence, probation and mental health treatment requirements.

Paul Rooney, defending, said Scarth knew he should have left when the trouble started but did not want to leave his friends behind and now feels "genuine remorse, deep regret and shame".

Hatch, 21, of Norham Avenue South, South Shields, admitted violent disorder and was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years, with alcohol abstinence and probation requirements.

Estelle Chambers, defending, said Hatch works full time and has character references.

The court heard all defendants were immature, are still young men, none have previous convictions and all have stayed out of trouble since.