16-Year-Old Jailed For Coventry Leisure Centre Stabbing
12 July 2016, 18:32 | Updated: 12 July 2016, 19:21
A teenager from Coventry's been jailed for four years for stabbing a man at a leisure centre.
The 16-year-old, who can't be named for legal reasons, was caught after an off-duty police officer saw him chasing a man with a knife in his hand last month.
Detective Chief Inspector Russell followed and managed to hold the teenager - who tried to hide the weapon in his underwear - until officers arrived. The victim required 10 stitches to his arm as a result of his injuries.
The boy admitted wounding and possession of a knife in a public place.
Mr Russell said: "It was just an instinctive reaction as a police officer; I heard a shout and saw two people running towards me with one holding a knife.
"I tried to intercept them to find out what was going on but they carried on in the sports club. I followed them and managed to hold the suspect against a wall until officers arrived and took him into custody for questioning.
"People have said to me how brave it was but it was just a natural thing to do; as a police officer you are trained for such circumstances.
"It was a bit more daunting without the full uniform on and I would not encourage members of the public to approach someone with a knife - but call us immediately.
"This incident should act as a warning that anyone who carries a knife - and can’t resist the temptation to use it - faces being removed from our streets."
