A CONVICTED knife-carrier is behind bars awaiting a long prison sentence after admitting that he slashed a man’s neck with a broken bottle in late-night violence on Bradford’s Great Horton Road.
Leon Fenton, 32, of Birch Lane, West Bowling, Bradford, today pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on July 26.
He also admitted having a broken bottle as an offensive weapon and being in possession of a knife.
Fenton’s not guilty plea to the original charge of attempted murder was accepted by the Crown.
Bradford Crown Court heard that the victim, aged 28, was slashed to the throat with a piece of broken glass while Fenton was also carrying a knife that was never recovered.
The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, remanded Fenton back into custody to be sentenced on January 23, the date he was due to stand trial for attempted murder.
Judge Mansell said Fenton would receive a long prison sentence that may be of indeterminate length.
He told him he could be dealt with over the video link to Leeds Prison where he is remanded but Fenton requested to be allowed to come to court.
The court heard that a psychiatrist had already found that Fenton posed a danger to the public.
He had previous convictions for carrying a knife.
Judge Mansell ordered an assessment from the probation service of the risk Fenton posed in the future.
He said he had slit a man’s neck with a shard of broken glass in the street late at night.
Rupert Doswell, for the Crown, said that a compilation of CCTV footage from the scene would be played at the sentencing hearing.
After the incident, police set up a large cordon in Great Horton Road and surrounding streets.
Enquiries were led by Bradford CID and a scene remained in place for some time while forensic examinations were carried out.
At the time, a spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police revealed that officers had been called to reports of a fight at 8.58pm on Great Horton Road.
On arrival, officers found a 28-year-old man with serious injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Afterwards, residents and councillors spoke of their shock. One resident said: "People now know not to walk down that end of Great Horton Road."
He added: "It’s a no-go area, it’s horrendous.”
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