A man who stabbed his victim in the chest after a fight about rolling tobacco has been jailed for more than five years.

Billy Warren, 35, plunged a knife into William Lindsay’s chest after a fight at a flat in Dover Court in Parkhurst Road, Sutton, on January 21.

Judge Jeremy Gold sentenced Warren, of Denmark Gardens, Carshalton, to five years and seven months in jail at Croydon Crown Court today and said the injuries Warren inflicted on January 21 were “potentially life-threatening”.

Judge Gold took into account evidence Warren had been punched by Mr Lindsay several times during the course of the night and added: “It was no doubt a reaction to the fight and how you have been treated.”

Warren pleaded guilty to wounding with intent just moments before he was due to stand trial at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, July 22.

Today the court heard how Warren had gone round to the flat in Parkhurst Road and was drinking and smoking with Mr Lindsay and his flatmate.

Prosecutor Alexandra Boshell said Warren left the flat apparently taking some rolling tobacco.

The court heard Mr Lindsay found the tobacco in Warren’s pocket, returned it to his flatmate and tried to calm Warren down when he returned to the flat.

However, the two got into a fight and Mr Lindsay punched Warren in the face before the two men wrestled on the floor.

Mr Lindsay went to have a cigarette but Warren picked up a knife and plunged it into Mr Lindsay’s chest.

Miss Boshell said: "At that point he realised he had been stabbed and there was blood coming from the wound.

"The police were called and the defendant did make certain admissions at the scene – 'he's hit me in the face – the bloke wanted a row. I went into the kitchen got a knife and done him'.”

Mr Lindsay suffered a deep stab wound to the chest but the blade missed his vital organs.

Warren’s defence lawyer Mark Bagshaw said he was frightened of Mr Lindsay because he knew about his reputation and added: “He feels absolutely terrible about this”.

Warren will serve half his sentence in prison and the other half on licence, minus time spent on remand.

 

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