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19-year-old jailed for stabbing victim three times in head in Piccadilly Gardens
The victim says she has been left with ‘physical and emotional scars’ following the assault
A 19-year-old has been jailed for ‘a vicious and unprovoked attack’ after pulling a steak knife from her bag to stab a woman in the head in Piccadilly Gardens.
Jessica Taylor stabbed the female victim three times in the head in Piccadilly Gardens last July following what is described as ‘a minor verbal exchange’.
As a result of the assault, the victim – who has not been named – has been left with ‘physical and emotional scars’, Greater Manchester Police said.
The court heard how she received two puncture wounds to the right side of her head and one to the left side of her forehead, all of which required stitches. She also sustained substantial bruising around her left eye.
In her statement, the victim said: “Before this happened, I used to go out several times a week to socialise with friends. Now I barely go anywhere other than to visit family.
“I wish this incident had never happened, but I know I can’t change it. Aside from the physical scars there has been quite a significant emotional change in me.
“I have become quite short-tempered and irritable and often just isolate myself from people.
“On occasion this has caused outbursts with my family where I have felt completely out of control. This behaviour is completely out of character and really hard for me to come to terms with.”
Taylor was tracked down by officers through social media enquiries and was positively identified from a video identification parade.
The teenager, of Haddington Drive, Blackley, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday, January 30th.
She was sentenced to three years, five months in prison after pleading guilty to wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article.
Detective Constable Annabel Lewis said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack in a busy location that resulted in the victim sustaining serious head and facial injuries.
“The victim was stabbed with a steak knife that Taylor pulled out of her handbag.
“After being arrested she made no comment in interviews and was later positively identified via a video identification parade.
“Hopefully this sentence will demonstrate that it is not acceptable to carry a knife on the streets of Greater Manchester and anyone found doing so will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.”
If you know or suspect someone may be carrying a knife, Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999. Those aged 11-17 can make anonymous reports via Fearless.org.