New Lord Chief Justice vows to be tough on knife crime

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, said knife crime must be "eradicated".(Article Here)

Lord Judge spoke as he trebled a teenager's sentence for repeatedly stabbing a refugee following a row over the quality of chips.

Sitting at the Appeal Court with Mr Justice Owen and Mr Justice Christopher Clarke, he said the youth's 12-month sentence was "significantly unduly lenient" given the injuries inflicted on his victim, who lost 1.2 litres of blood in the November 2007 attack.

Abdul Jabarkhil, who had fled a war zone for the apparent safe haven of London, was stabbed six times by the youth, who cannot be named, after a late-night row at the Dixie Chicken take-away in Golders Green, north London.

Mr Jabarkhil had refused a full refund for chips that were said to be below-standard.

Lord Judge said: "Let us repeat this message from the court: Those who carry knives on the streets, and use them to wound and injure, must expect severe punishment. No ifs, no buts, no perhaps.

"We must do what we can to eradicate this dreadful problem of knives being carried and used."

The chip shop row culminated in the friend hurling chips at Mr Jabarkhil and restaurant's staff ushering the teenagers onto the street.

Mr Jabarkhil was then punched by another of the youth's accomplices outside and repeatedly stabbed by the 16-year-old.

The youth was detained for 12 months at Harrow Crown Court in June this year after admitting wounding with intent. His two accomplices received lesser sentences after admitting affray.

The case reached the Appeal Court as Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, called for an increase in the 16-year-old's "unduly lenient" sentence.

Lord Judge, appointed as the new Lord Chief Justice last week, agreed the sentence was too light and upped the sentence to three years.
Telegraph 08/10/08