Teenager jailed for stabbing boy on the Isle of Wight

A teenager has been jailed for stabbing a boy in Puckpool on the Isle of Wight.

Liam John Charles Williams, aged 19, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent after he stabbed a 16-year-old boy who was out with friends on Halloween night in 2020.

At around 1.30am on 1 November, Williams became involved in a verbal altercation with the victim and his friends on Appley Walk which quickly turned physical.

Williams pulled out a knife, threatening those present, and a physical altercation took place. He then proceeded to stab the victim four times in the chest and abdomen.

After the stabbing, Williams went back to his home address where he deliberately smashed his neighbour’s car windscreen. He then left home carrying another knife, but discarded this before being stopped by police.

Police arrested Williams, who was 18 at the time of the offences, and in addition to GBH he was charged with possession of a knife in a public place, and criminal damage.

Williams, of Amherst Place in Ryde, admitted all three offences when he appeared at Newport Crown Court on 10 January this year.

Appearing at the same court on Thursday 3 March 2022, he was jailed for 32 months.

Detective Constable Mark Thomas said: “The immeasurable harm that knives cause is well documented, and this is another shocking example of the consequences of carrying a knife.

“As soon as you make that decision to pick up a bladed weapon, you create the very real risk of seriously injuring or killing someone.

“Williams made the conscious decision to pull out that knife and use it against the boy. His intentions to use it were clear, and his guilty pleas are evidence of that.

“He could have killed that boy. That is the frightening reality.

“To anyone carrying a knife, or thinking of carrying a knife – don’t do it. One bad decision could seal the fate of yourself and others.”

If you are a young person who feels under pressure to carry a knife, you can seek advice and support on the Knife Free website here: https://www.knifefree.co.uk/

You can also submit information about knife crime, completely anonymously, via the Fearless website, which is part of Crimestoppers. On this site, you can also seek advice and support: https://www.fearless.org/en