Man stabbed friend in '˜excessive self-defence'

Shane Osbourne, 29, used a kitchen knife to inflict one blow in excessive self-defence after he was confronted by pal Neville Lord.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the two men were among a group who had been drinking at Mr Lord’s flat in Castleton Boulevard, Skegness.

The court was told Mr Lord became violent, accusing others of stealing his tobacco, and Osbourne left after witnessing him attack another drinker.

Mr Lord pursued Osbourne outside and was seen to swing a punch at him.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, mitigating, said Osbourne had a knife with him for cutting gammon and had no intention of using it until Mr Lord advanced on him.

Mr Cranmer-Brown said: “This was not something he wanted to happen. It all happened very quickly as Mr Lord came towards him. The knife may have gone in further than anticipated.”

Osbourne carried out a burglary at Skegness youth club after running away and was found asleep under a pool table.

Mr Lord suffered a six cms deep wound to his abdomen which cut his liver. He required surgery at Nottingham’s Queen Medical Centre and spent five days in hospital.

The court heard Osbourne was on bail for two burglaries in South Lincolnshire when he committed the wounding.

Osbourne admitted stealing £220 and a diamond engagement ring from a house in Fisher Gate, Sutton St James, while the owner was watching tv. He also stole a flat screen tv from a caravan at nearby Grange Farm.

Osbourne, of Anfield Road, Long Sutton, pleaded guilty to three charges of burglary, possessing a bladed article and unlawful wounding between 14 September and 29 November, 2015.

Passing sentence Judge John Pini QC told Osbourne he accepted the knife was not carried to cause injury but he added: “In that split second of excessive self-defence you knew that you had a knife in your hand.”