Dangerous Ricky Drewett, 33, was seen attacking his victim during a street brawl in Murton, Co Durham on April 2 and arrested at the scene with knife in his hand
A dangerous knifeman who stabbed a man in the street just hours after being released from prison is back behind bars.
Feckless Ricky Drewett, 33, was seen attacking his victim during a street brawl in Murton, Co Durham on April 2. Officers caught the incident on police dashcam before arresting Drewett, who lived nearby. He was tasered as he tried to run away; he had been freed from jail just hours earlier but rained down blows on his victim with a knife. The first police officers at the scene also administered first aid to the victim. He miraculously escaped with minor injuries because Drewett was so drunk.
Police dashcam images showed him being arrested. A black kitchen knife was also recovered from the scene. Durham crown court heard that Drewett kept saying ‘no comment’, even when no one was asking him any questions. He was charged with assault causing GBH and possessing a knife in a public place.
Faced with the overwhelming evidence, he pleaded guilty and was jailed at Durham Crown Court to three years and four months in prison for assault, causing grievous bodily harm and possessing a knife in a public place.
The court heard Drewett, of no fixed abode, had a history of drug use which had been a downfall and accounted for his time in prison before his release. Tony Davis, mitigating, said Drewett was, on his own admission, drunk, having taken too much alcohol on the day he was freed.
Recorder Mark Giuliani told Drewett: “It’s up to you whether you stop this criminal lifestyle and try to get a job and become a productive member of society. Providing you stop taking drugs you have probably 50 more active years, but, keep taking drugs, and that might not be the case.”
DC Alex Bilby, of Durham Police CID, who led the investigation, said: “This was a violent offence that could have easily ended in very serious injuries to both the victim and officers who did not hesitate to run towards the danger Drewett posed. Thanks to their quick response, the other man was safeguarded and given immediate medical attention.
“Thankfully he made a full recovery and Drewett was swiftly apprehended. We have a zero-tolerance policy for knife crime anyone found with a knife or any other weapon will be dealt with. There is never a justification for carrying a knife in our communities. Please help us to keep our communities safe and don’t make pointless choices.”
Knife offences can be reported to police or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.