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Boy, 16, stabbed three times with Rambo knife stabbing in Gillingham after social media spat

A teenager who stabbed a rival three times with a Rambo knife in an unprovoked street attack has been locked up for three-and-a-half years.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, plunged the weapon into his terrified victims's armpit, hip and arm in April this year.

The victim was stabbed three times with a knife similar to this Stock picture: David Antony Hunt
The victim was stabbed three times with a knife similar to this Stock picture: David Antony Hunt

The 16-year-old victim was running away from a group of youths armed with weapons including a Samurai sword.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how the knifeman, from Chatham, had sent a voice message to a friend of the victim with a chilling message: "I'm going to put my Rambo in your chest".

The yob - who has previous convictions include racially aggravated assault, criminal damage, causing actual bodily harm and possessing cannabis - was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and having a bladed article.

The victim's mother told the court in an impact statement that she was "filled with crippling fear and dread" on hearing he had been knifed.

She wrote: "In a nutshell, I cannot put into words the damage this has done. There are no words. Put yourself in my shoes."

Judge Charles Gratwicke heard the youth continued to pose a high risk of both re-offending and causing serious harm 'with or without a weapon'.

Prosecutor Peter Forbes said although neither boy had in person before that night, there was bad feeling between them expressed in comments on social media.

He told the jury the victim and a friend decided to find out 'what his problem was' but as the pair walked towards a block of flats in Gillingham a group of boys with knives came running out.

"One was carrying a knife described as Rambo-style. Others had weapons including a Samurai sword," the prosecutor said.

"The victim ran but as he tried to cross the road, a car was coming. He remembered (the defendant) calling 'Come on, *****' and how he swung the knife at him.

"He blocked the knife on the first attempt with his left arm, causing a small cut to his elbow.

"The male then stabbed his body twice - once to the left side of his chest close to the armpit and also to the left hip."

Judge Gratwicke said: "Although you won't believe it now, you may in later life come to realise how lucky you have been.

"If the blade had gone in just a little bit more, the injuries could have been devastating. You stabbed not once, not twice, but three times.

"But there is a glimmer of hope you can see the error of your ways. I hope that is the case."

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