POLICE fighting knife crime in Southampton have vowed to continue doing everything they can to make the city safer.
Detective Inspector Janine Bradley has spoken out after a "terrifying" incident in which a student was stabbed by a fellow teenager on a wooded path at Swaythling.
As reported in the Daily Echo, Ingus Birulis, 18, was left with a collapsed lung, a cracked rib and a punctured liver following the incident.
His 15-year-old assailant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was originally charged with attempted murder.
Following a trial at Southampton Crown Court in March he was cleared of the charge but was found guilty of wounding with intent.
On Monday he was sentenced to six years in youth detention following the incident at Monks Way last year.
Speaking after the case Det Insp Bradley, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: “This unwarranted attack was terrifying for the victim and hopefully this sentence shows we do all in our power to bring perpetrators of serious violence to justice.
“Knife crime destroys lives and taking weapons off our streets is one of our top priorities in Southampton.
READ MORE: Southampton stabbing: teenager cleared of attempted murder
"From knife sweeps to engagement with partners, education and enforcement, we will use all the tools available to us to stop people using knives.
“I hope this young man learns from his crime and understands the impact it has had both on the victim and the community, and that the public know we are dedicated to making Southampton safer.”
The defendant, now 16, stabbed his victim five times before fleeing the area as Mr Birulis banged on doors in a desperate attempt to get help, the court heard.
Kelly Brocklehurst, prosecuting, said police found guns, ammunition and drugs when they raided the defendant's home.
A sawn-off shotgun was discovered under the floorboards, plus a bolt action rifle and a dismantled baton. Officers also seized 27 grams of cannabis.
The defendant admitted possessing a prohibited firearm, possessing a firearm without a certificate, possessing ammunition without a certificate and possessing a class B drug.
Jodie Mittell, mitigating, said the attack had not had a long-term impact on the victim.
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