Leeds teenager sliced men with machete while high on spice celebrating his eighteenth birthday

Scott Bird took out the weapon without warning and attacked the victims during the terrifying incident on Lincoln Green Road.

Leeds Crown Court heard Bird had been taking cocaine and spice and drinking alcohol to celebrate his 18th birthday.

Rukhshanda Hussain, prosecuting, said the incident took place at 4pm on December 2018.

The first victim was walking along the street when he was shoulder barged from behind as a group of men walked past him.

Bird was among the group and they then headed towards shops on Lincoln Green Road.

One of the men was heard to say: "I'm p***** off. I've lost all my money."

The group then approached the second victim.

The first victim knew the other man and went to help as he sensed trouble.

Bird took a machete from his trousers and made threats with the weapon.

He returned the machete to his trousers but took it out again and raised it above his head.

The teenager swung the blade towards one of the men.

He was stuck on the arm as he tried to defended himself.

Bird then swung the machete at the second victim several times, causing serious cuts to his hand.

The defendant then ran off.

Both victims had to undergo operations.

One suffered a 15cm cut to his forearm, elbow and wrist,

The other man had to undergo plastic surgery to the wounds to his hand.

The injuries have affected their ability to work.

Bird was arrested at his home and admitted taking cocaine, spice and alcohol before the attack for his 18th birthday.

The court heard Bird was arrested for dealing spice in June 2018.

He was stopped by officers in Leeds city centre on suspicion of dealing the drug.

The teenager was searched and the class B drug was found in his possession.

Text messages were found on his phone which contained text messages giving instructions to Bird from other dealers higher up the supply chain.

Bird, now 19, of Grange View, Chapeltown, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful wounding, possession of an offensive and supplying a class B drug.

Michael Walsh, mitigating, said Bird had been out of trouble during the two years it had taken the case to come to court.

Mr Walsh said the defendant had not touched drugs or alcohol since the incident and had worked hard to turn his life around.

The court heard Bird had been receiving support from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and hoped to play rugby league at a high level.

Mr Walsh said: "He has made remarkable progress. If he fails he will only have himself to blame and will be back in prison."

Judge Christopher Batty deferred sentencing Bird for three months.

He told the teenager: "On the face of it you should go to custody.

"Dealing drugs and assaulting people with a machete are clearly serious offences, but they happened a long time ago."

The judge continued: "You have shown a remarkable turn around.

"You are considered to be a role model for others around you, younger ones in particular.

"I take the view that if I lock you up today all that work will be undone."

The judge he would impose a suspended custodial sentence if Bird stays out of trouble for the net three months.

He will be sentenced on October 14.

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Thank you Laura Collins