#‘Vigilante’ jailed for stabbing boy after thinking teen was breaking coronavirus rules

A UK man has been jailed for 14 years after he stabbed a teenager in the neck in a “vigilante” attack over COVID-19 rules.

Unemployed Ian Bryan, 58, was sentenced when he appeared at Brighton Crown Court on Monday after he seriously injured a teen who he thought was breaking coronavirus restrictions.

He had been found guilty of one count of wounding with intent and one count of attempted wounding with intent following a week-long trial last month.

The charges related to an altercation at St Margaret’s Road around 9:26 p.m. April 22.

Serious wounds

The two victims, ages 17 and 32 at the time, were staying in a property next door to Bryan while they carried out some engineering work in the area.

Earlier in the evening, an argument had broken out between them as Bryan challenged the victims as to why they were there, believing they shouldn’t be due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The two victims left the address shortly after 8 p.m. and at 8:15 p.m., Bryan called police to report the victims for breaching the government’s COVID-19 restrictions.

The victims returned to their accommodation at 8:35 p.m., and at 9:26 p.m., Bryan called the police non-emergency number and stated he was still feeling troubled about the victims’ actions toward him. Soon after, the two victims heard three or four bangs at their front door.

The 17-year-old answered the door and was attacked by Bryan, suffering a serious wound to his neck.

The second victim fought Bryan off and also suffered a minor injury to his leg. The two victims ran to the street outside and called an ambulance at 9:27 p.m.

Tased and arrested

Police and paramedics arrived. Bryan was found in possession of two knives and after failing to respond to orders to drop them, was tased and arrested.

The 17-year-old victim was rushed to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for emergency surgery. Fortunately, he made a good physical recovery and was discharged a few days later.

Bryan was also taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries he suffered during the incident. Upon discharge, he was taken into custody for questioning and was subsequently charged with two counts of attempted murder.

A unanimous jury found him not guilty of attempted murder, but guilty of wounding with intent and attempted wounding with intent.

Detective Inspector Pippa Nicklin of Hastings CID said: “Ian Bryan left his property that night armed with a knife, showing clear intent to cause the victims harm.

“His violent actions left a 17-year-old boy with an incredibly serious neck injury that required emergency surgery.

“Thanks to a thorough and swift police investigation, Bryan was convicted at court.

“We are pleased the length of the sentence reflects the severity of the attack and that a dangerous offender has been put in prison.”