Violent Pub Altercation Leads to Severe Stabbing and Prison Sentence
A disturbing incident at a Midlands pub has resulted in a prison sentence for the attacker after a violent confrontation left a victim with life-threatening injuries. The attack occurred outside The Market Tavern in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, highlighting ongoing concerns about public safety and knife crime in the region.
Details of the Attack and Emergency Response
On the evening of September 23, just before 7 pm, emergency services received reports of a man suffering from a severe neck wound and bleeding heavily. Prosecutors described how the victim rushed back into the pub after the stabbing, collapsing on the floor as blood poured from his neck, face, and legs. Witnesses and staff used a jumper to stem the bleeding while awaiting medical assistance.
CCTV footage played a crucial role in the investigation, capturing the moments leading up to the violent encounter. The footage showed Daniel O'Hagen, 44, entering the pub and approaching the victim, with whom he was acquainted. After a brief handshake, O'Hagen exited the premises, followed by the victim. The situation escalated quickly outside, with the two men chasing each other before converging at the junction of Percy Street and Tontine Street.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, prosecutor Bob Sastry detailed how O'Hagen lunged forward and stabbed the victim in the neck with a blade, inflicting a wound that measured three inches wide and one inch deep. The injury required hospital treatment, including steri-strips and sutures to close the gash. Judge Graeme Smith emphasized the gravity of the attack, noting that had the blade penetrated a few millimetres deeper, it could have been fatal.
O'Hagen, of Wellfield Road in Bentilee, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and possessing a bladed article in a public place. Despite the victim's refusal to cooperate with the police investigation, which left the exact cause of the disagreement unclear, the prosecution accepted a plea to section 20, indicating that O'Hagen did not intend to cause serious harm. Defence counsel Anis Ali acknowledged that O'Hagen accepted responsibility and expected an immediate jail sentence.
Background and Previous Convictions
The court heard that O'Hagen has an extensive criminal history, with 30 previous convictions for 103 offences. He had been in custody on remand since the incident, which occurred several months prior to the sentencing. Judge Smith remarked on the dangerous nature of carrying and using a blade, underscoring the potential for tragic outcomes in such violent altercations.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with knife crime and the importance of community safety measures. Authorities continue to urge public vigilance and cooperation in preventing similar incidents in the future.
