Lincoln man stabbed former friend after emerging from bush

A man who stabbed a former friend after emerging from a bush on a Lincoln street was today (Thursday) jailed for four years.

Gary McCarthy, 37, swung a small handled knife at the victim's throat after emerging from a bush in Abbey Place.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the victim, who was sat on a wall with his girlfriend, managed to lift his arm and deflect the blow.

The victim attended Lincoln County Hospital after he noticed blood coming from his upper arm and required two stitches for a 2.5cms stab wound.

He also suffered a superficial cut under his left eyebrow which was glued.

The court heard McCarthy, then of Boston, was previously jailed for six years in December 2011 after he struck a man with a metal bar in Chapel Street, Boston.

Caroline Bradley, prosecuting, told the court both McCarthy and his recent victim were residents at the Pathway supported accomodation centre in Beaumont Fee, Lincoln.

Miss Bradley said the two men were friends but McCarthy appeared to have become upset by the victim's girlfriend and had changed the contact details on his mobile phone to "backstabber."

On 15 November McCarthy went to the victim's room and yelled "open the door, I'll do you now," the court was told.

The victim went to find his girlfriend and received a text which read "me and you, game over."

Miss Bradley said the victim and his girlfriend were later sat in Abbey Place when McCarthy emerged from a bush.

The victim was repeatedly punched to the head before McCarthy produced what appeared to be a weapon.

After fleeing the scene McCarthy washed some of his outer clothing at an address in Carholme Road.

He then returned to the Pathway centre where he told another resident that he had done something which would be classed as attempted murder.

The victim's DNA was also found on a small black handled knife.

McCarthy, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a bladed article on November 15, 2023.

Hal Ewing, mitigating for McCarthy, argued he was not as dangerous as his criminal record suggested.

"There is a different side to this man," Mr Ewing told the court.

"He has been for the last two years in a relationship with his current partner. That is a source of great strength."

Passing sentence Recorder John Hardy KC told McCarthy he could have been facing a murder charge if his victim had not raised his arm.

"You lost your temper as you have done before," Recorder Hardy said. "You sought to sort him out by stabbing him."

McCarthy was jailed for four years and must also serve an extended licence period of three years once he is released from custody.