A man who plunged a knife into his victim’s liver and kidney in an attack in Royal Wootton Bassett has this morning been sentenced.
21-year-old Joseph Bridgeman stabbed a man in his 50s in Rylands Way, leaving him fighting for his life on an intensive care ward for five days.
He’s said to have retaliated with one swipe of a knife after the victim had punched him. The altercation was part of an ongoing feud.
Two air ambulance crews, one from Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the other from Great Western Air Ambulance, provide critical care to the casualty at the scene.
Last year, Bridgeman, of Chestnut Avenue in Tidworth, pleaded guilty wounding with intent and possession of a knife. At Swindon Crown Court today, he was sentenced to four years and ten months imprisonment.
The knife, with a blade estimated between eight and twelve inches, has never been recovered.
Det Sgt Scott Anger, who led the investigation, said: “We welcome this good result.
“The length of sentencing for this man reflects how serious this assault was with the victim almost losing his life. Fortunately, he has fully recovered from his injuries.
“I would like to thank my colleagues from the Royal Wootton Bassett Community Policing Team for their prompt response to this incident; one which naturally concerned local residents at the time. Their presence also reassured many local people on the day of the incident.
“I would also like to highlight the diligent work from the CID Investigation Team in recovering the evidence. Both the quick work of the CPT and the thorough work of the CID officers led to Bridgeman’s guilty plea and subsequent sentence.”
