Man jailed following serious assault at Southampton address

A man has been sentenced following the serious assault of a man in his 40s at a Southampton house last summer.

 

Shortly after 10pm on Saturday 15 July 2023, police were called by colleagues at Southampton Central Ambulance Service regarding a man that had been stabbed at an address on James Street.

 

Armed response units were at the scene by 10.08pm, where they located the 48-year-old victim with a stab wound to his shoulder and torso.

 

Following initial witness accounts, Boguslaw Biela was arrested and subsequently charged with attempted murder.

 

The 67-year-old, of James Street, denied attempted murder but pleaded guilty to section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent at a hearing at Southampton Crown Court on Monday 11 December.

 

He appeared at the same court on Friday (9 February), where he was sentenced to nine years in prison.

 

The court heard how Biela had gotten into a verbal argument with the victim following an evening of drinking alcohol, and that he had used a kitchen knife to cause life-threatening injuries. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and has since returned home, however his injuries require constant management and have affected his ability to work.

 

Detective Sergeant Daryanne Ryan said: “We are pleased with this result, which means that Biela will face the consequences of his violent actions.
 

“I hope that the victim is able to move forward following what was understandably a traumatic ordeal for him which has had a huge impact on his life. I must thank the dedication of the investigation team, whose hard work has ensured that Biela will face justice, as well as the actions of the first officers on the scene. The judge noted how their quick actions, which went above and beyond what was expected of them, almost certainly saved the victim's life.

“If any good can be taken from this, I would like it to be that if others have been on a night out or drinking with friends and find themselves in a heated situation, that they remember the consequences of violence, and ask themselves is it worth it? Is it worth potentially taking someone’s loved one away from them, and taking yourself away from your own family to serve a prison sentence? Is it worth having a criminal record? It never is.

 

“Too many lives are ruined, and even lost, to drunken behaviour on nights out across the UK. Our message is simple – if it’s you in the heated situation or a friend, think, de-escalate, and walk away.

 

“Reducing knife crime remains one of our top priorities in Southampton, and we will continue using all the powers at our disposal, from engagement and education to enforcement, to help make our communities safer.”

 

If you are worried about the behaviour of someone you know, or worried that they may be carrying a knife, please contact us on 101 or report via our website. Dial 999 if it is an emergency.