Teen's arm 'slashed down to the bone' in Leeds turf-war machete fight
Pair of 17-year-olds jailed and banned from inner-city area
A young man had his arm sliced down to the bone during a sickening machete fight in Leeds, born out of a gang turf war.
Two 17-year-olds, who both wore balaclavas and were riding electric bikes, were “tooled up” and attacked the victim, who also had a machete.
The pair, who cannot be named due to their age, were both given detention at a young offender institute after appearing at Leeds Crown Court this week.
They were also handed criminal behaviour orders (CBO), banning them from the area once released.
It was heard that the fight took place in the Harehills area on September 26.
The victim had been with friends when the the defendants arrived intent on fighting.
The victim pulled a machete from his waistband when he saw the pair approaching, who in turn brandished their own weapons.
Children in the area scattered in fear as the fight ensued, with one of the pair swinging his blade and catching the victim’s upper left arm, cutting through the skin, muscle and tendons.
The defendants then quickly fled the scene. One was arrested five days later, the other around two weeks later. Both gave no-comment interviews to police.
They admitted Section 18 GBH with intent and possessing a bladed article. One also admitted possession of heroin from a separate date.
The court heard that one has four previous convictions, including a Section 18 GBH for which he was given detention.
Mitigating on his behalf, Matthew Stewart told the court that he was “regretful for his actions”, had a tough childhood and was now in the care system.
He was given a 37-month sentence of detention. Judge Anesh Pema told him he was fortunate not to be deemed a danger to society that would merit a longer sentence.
The other defendant has two previous convictions for violence and possessing an offensive weapon.
Stephen Littlewood, mitigating for the second defendant, said the teenager was from a supportive family. He said he accepted he was facing custody.
He said: “Hopefully this period of detention will be the wake-up call that he needs.”
Judge Pema gave him a 29-month sentence.
He told them both: “This was a gang turf war....You came there clearly to start a fight.
“You were slashing at each other in a crude and violent fencing match.
“This was a brutal attack.”
Both defendants were given the CBOs which will last for three years and means they are prohibited from entering specific areas of Leeds.
They are also banned from using electric cycles or motorbikes.
Should they be caught breaching the order, they can be fast-tracked back to prison.