Big Issue seller stabbed in back outside Kirkgate Market in Leeds city centre: Man jailed at Leeds Crown Court

A thug who stabbed a Big Issue seller in the back in an unprovoked  attack in Leeds city centre has been jailed for two years.
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Charles Hickson attacked the man near Kirkgate Market, Leeds Crown Court heard

His victim suffered a one inch wound, which had to be glued in hospital.

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Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, said the attack happened outside Kirkgate Market just after 6pm on November 23 as the victim was on his way to sell the Big Issue.

Charles HicksonCharles Hickson
Charles Hickson

Mr Sharp said Hickson, 28, pushed the man for no apparent reason and words were exchanged between the two men.

Mr Sharp said Hickson tried to kick the man and then produced a knife, which he had been holding behind his back.

The Big Issue seller tried to get away, but Hickson ran after him and stabbed him in the lower back, causing a one inch wound.

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The attack victim went to hospital where the wound was glued and he was given a tetanus jab.

The attack happened outside Kirkgate Market in Leeds city centre.The attack happened outside Kirkgate Market in Leeds city centre.
The attack happened outside Kirkgate Market in Leeds city centre.

The court heard the man suffered pain for a number of weeks after the incident along with some difficulty with walking.

Hickson, of Charlton Place, Burmantofts, Leeds, was identified from CCTV images from the city centre.

When Hickson was arrested and interviewed in December 2018 he claimed he wasn't the man on the CCTV images.

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He later admitted section 20 wounding and possessing an offensive weapon.

Martin Morrow, mitigating, said the offences are almost two years old.

Mr Morrow said Hickson had endured a troubled childhood which led him to behaving aggressively in adult life.

Jailing Hickson for two years, Judge Christopher Batty, said: You had a knife with you. It's not clear to me why you were carrying a knife."

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Judge Batty added: "You stuck it in his back, it is fortunate he was not more seriously injured."

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Thank you

Laura Collins