A man has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for a brutal and prolonged knife attack in Birmingham that left the victim with life-threatening injuries, including a broken Adam's apple.
The Attack
Just after midnight on April 11, 2024, West Midlands Police were called to a property on Whitehall Road in Handsworth. Officers discovered a man in his 60s with severe injuries. The victim, Stephen Watts, had been subjected to a horrific 13-minute street attack. During the assault, he was struck with a chair leg more than 60 times. The attack only ceased when a member of the public witnessed it and intervened.
Injuries and Medical Response
Watts was rushed to the hospital in a life-threatening condition. Medical staff had to perform an emergency procedure, cutting open his chest and manually restarting his heart. He suffered multiple fractures to his head, face, and ribs, a broken Adam's apple, punctured lungs, and a damaged spleen.
Arrest and Conviction
Police arrested a man at the scene and recovered a metal bar and a knife, which were identified as weapons used in the attack. The suspect, Razvan Mut, aged 35, was charged and later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. Mut, who has no fixed address, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on April 29, 2026.
Police Statement
West Midlands Police emphasized the severity of the attack and the importance of the public's assistance in stopping it. They expressed hope that the sentence provides some closure for the victim and sends a strong message about the consequences of such violent behavior.
