Teen stabbed in random attack after violent row

A MAN with an "explosive and spontaneous" anger problem stabbed a 14-year-old boy in an unprovoked attack.

Peter Riley stabbed the teenager in the stomach as he walked along the street.

The knife cut the victim's liver and he needed treatment in intensive care.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that Riley, aged 22, had argued with his partner on March 7 last year and had been thrown out of their flat.

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Then at 8.15pm, as the victim and his friend walked along Spring Road, Normacot, Riley pulled out a knife and stabbed the youth.

Mr Spratt said: "They were not known to each other. The complainant acknowledged the defendant with the phrase 'Alright mate'.

"For no reason, the defendant stabbed the lad in the upper abdomen.

"The teenager thought he had been punched until he put his hand to his stomach and his T-shirt was covered in blood."

The victim sustained a 2cm cut to his abdomen and a 6cm cut to his liver.

He was in hospital for three days but has now made a full recovery.

The court heard Riley admitted what he had done to his ex-girlfriend, and was later identified by the victim's friend.

"On the morning she and the defendant had argued in their flat," said Mr Spratt. "The defendant had punched her to the face when she was holding a young child. She ejected him. While outside the flat he wounded his victim.

"The following day he went round to collect clothing and admitted to her he had stabbed someone."

Riley's ex-girlfriend saw an appeal about the stabbing in The Sentinel and called the police.

Riley, of no fixed address, who has previous convictions for violence, including an attack on his mother, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

Alison Downs, mitigating, said Riley knew he would be receiving a lengthy sentence.

She asked for him to be given a "constructive" sentence with an extended period of licence so he could receive help.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said Riley presented a high risk of causing serious harm to vulnerable victims and passed a sentence for the protection of the public.

The defendant must serve a minimum of two years before he can be considered for release. Time on remand – 156 days – will count towards the term.

Judge Trevor-Jones told Riley: "You stabbed a 14-year-old boy as he was simply walking along the street. There could have been devastating consequences. You have a violent disposition.

"You have explosive and spontaneous anger and it leads to violence when there is no provocation at all."