Two men were caught on a surveillance camera duking it out while each of them wielded a knife, SWNS News reports.
Alan Bishop, 40 years old, and Russell Morris, 45 years old, battled it out after Bishop found out that his former girlfriend was making frequent visits at Morris’ home. Bishop came charging into Morris’ front yard with a six-inch blade in his hand.
Morris, who saw the threat from inside, decided to confront Bishop with also a knife. The two then started lunging at each other. Bishop suffered a few punctured wounds in his arm and chest.
The two just kept on lunging at each other until Bishop fell on the pavement. Morris continued to attack while his opponent was on the ground. It wasn’t until a passerby saw what was happening that they stopped fighting.
Bishop and Morris returned to their own apartments.
The two men were brought to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court and were sentenced for 20 months in prison for affray and possession of a bladed weapon.
Judge Fletcher told the two suspects, “Affray is an offence against the maintenance of good order in this country. That sort of behavior in a place where people live can never be condoned or accepted.”
A neighbor who witnessed the fight called both the police and the ambulance. Bishop was immediately taken Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Neil Ahuja, prosecuting attorney, said, “The incident appears to have occurred as a result of an issue between them over Bishop’s ex-girlfriend, who was at the time in Morris’s flat.
“They engaged in what is perhaps best described as ‘Wild West’ behavior outside the flat, armed with knives, each engaging in violence towards the other.
“Prior to the incident, at 2am, a neighbor was awoken by Bishop shouting outside the building, shouting, ‘Get out here, you are cheating on me’, and heard him banging on Morris’s door. There was a repeat of similar behavior at 3am, 5am and 6am.
“The two effectively lunge at each other several times, stabbing and slashing at each other. They move backwards and forwards up and down the path as if in a fencing competition. Morris made contact with the body and arm of Bishop.”
Andrew Turnock, Morris’ defense lawyer, said, “It was Mr. Bishop who started this incident. The ridiculous stand-off that followed was probably six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. Unfortunately, trouble was brought to his door and he dealt with it inappropriately.”
Stuart Muldoon, Bishop’s defense lawyer, said, “He accepts and acknowledges the seriousness of this incident. Speaking at the time of the fight, neighbors expressed their shock at the violent scenes.
Dave Dixon, a 30 years old neighbor, said, “My pal was having a cup of tea and outside these two fellas were having a knife fight. He said it was mad, like some kind of medieval duel.”
A spokesperson for the Staffordshire Police said that although the fight between the two neighbors got bigger, they were ‘pleased’ that the conviction given to the two will demonstrate that any form of assault will not be tolerated.
