Balaclava-clad man stabbed stranger in Grimsby street

A FORMER dock worker who donned a balaclava and gloves before stabbing a stranger in the middle of a Grimsby street has been jailed for five years.

Aaron Bingham, 33, attacked Daniel Negru – who was drinking with friends outside a convenience store on the corner of Stanley Street and Oxford Street – with a three-inch blade just before midnight on August 1.

Grimsby Crown Court heard how Bingham had previous convictions for wounding, stabbing his victim in the stomach six times, and aggravated burglary, being part of a gang that threatened a female homeowner with a sledgehammer.

Passing sentence, Judge Paul Watson QC told him: "You deliberately stabbed this man with a knife that you had returned home to collect.

"You pose a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public, particularly when you are drunk." Bingham had been arguing with his partner at their house in Stanley Street when he stormed outside and began shouting at Mr Negru and his friend.

He then disappeared for 15 minutes, returning to his home to collect the gloves, balaclava and a multi-tool, containing the knife.

Simon Waley, prosecuting, said Bingham had been drinking and smoking cannabis. He added: "The defendant came back outside, approached the two men and punched the victim to the right side of his torso, just below the ribs.

"Mr Negru thought he had simply been punched. At this stage he noticed he was bleeding heavily and it had soaked through his top."

Mr Negru was rushed, by ambulance, to A&E at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital where he was given intravenous fluids and internal and external stitches.

A CT scan revealed the blade had perforated his liver, leading to internal bleeding, and he stayed in hospital for three days.

Mr Waley added: "The second time that the defendant's property was searched by police, a bag was found in the cupboard under the stairs which contained the multi-tool with visible signs of blood on it."

Bingham admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a small amount of cannabis, which was also found in his home.

Steven Freestone, mitigating, said Bingham had "difficulties" with anger management, particularly under the influence of drink.

He added: "It could have been much worse than it was. This was a relatively minor injury."

Bingham will serve a further two years on licence when he is released from prison.