Bradford Moor man cut victim's thigh to the bone (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Moor man cut victim's thigh to the bone

5:58pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A Bradford man who cut his victim’s leg to the bone with a machete after a trivial quarrel was today jailed for eight years.

Gary Darling, 39, caused Mohammed Rashid a disfiguring injury which left him unable to walk very far, Bradford Crown Court was told.

Judge Scott Wolstenholme, jailing Darling for eight years with an extended five-year licence, said the public was at risk of harm from him.

He told Darling: “It is the triviality of this incident, which started as a simple misunderstanding, which worries me, because you were prepared to confront this victim, taking with you a lethal weapon, and then you lost your temper with it and struck a blow.”

He said Mr Rashid could have died. “You struck him a heavy blow with the machete to the thigh, intending to cause him a serious injury, which cut right through the skin and muscle and cut to the bone.”

Darling, of Gloucester Avenue, Bradford Moor, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possessing an offensive weapon.

The court heard that Darling had rowed with his girlfriend, who had given a two-fingered gesture from the window of her home.

Mr Rashid, who was passing by, thought the gesture was aimed at him and an argument developed with the accused.

The complainant continued on his way, but Darling followed, armed with a three-foot machete he had been using for gardening.

Prosecutor Sarah Barlow said the complainant was loud and abusive and Darling, who had a number of previous convictions for violence, lost his temper and struck him with the weapon.

Miss Barlow said the victim had needed physiotherapy, had suffered mental trauma and had moved from Bradford.

Nawaz Hussain, mitigating, said Darling had been goaded by his girlfriend and had acted stupidly.