A machete-wielding teenager who stabbed a Deliveroo rider in front of terrified onlookers has been jailed for six and a half years. Lewis Livingstone, 19, of Wellington Road, Enfield, was sentenced on March 15 after he previously pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article.
The victim, then aged 28, was cycling home in Fore Street, Enfield when he was attacked shortly before 4.30pm on Saturday, July 1. Livingstone, who was stood at a bus stop, leapt out and kicked him, forcing him off his bicycle.
He then unsheathed a large knife and chased the victim away from the bicycle. He mounted it and brandished the knife again at the victim when he re-approached.
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The victim tackled Livingstone to prevent his bicycle from being stolen. As they lay on the floor Livingstone retrieved his knife and stabbed the victim in the abdomen in front of scores of horrified onlookers.
The victim screamed for help and sustained further knife injuries to his hands as he desperately tried to defend himself. Members of the public bravely intervened to stop Livingstone and he was held as police rushed to the scene and arrested him minutes later.
When asked why he had done it, one witness said Livingstone simply responded: “Is he dead?” The victim was given first aid at the scene before being taken to hospital, where, thankfully, his injuries were assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing.
‘I spent the night in hospital having nightmares’
Livingstone was arrested and then charged by police within 24 hours of the incident. He tried to claim he was acting in self-defence but this was easily disproved by detectives. Alongside CCTV, they gathered a wealth of witness statements and carried out forensic work that would prove his guilt.
The victim said in a statement: “I believe this man was going to kill me, had the people not come to my rescue. I am still not over the shock and fear. I spent the night in hospital having nightmares. I still have a lot of pain on my side and hands as a result of being stabbed. I am now in the queue waiting for surgery on my hands.”
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