Wigan pub knifeman sent to jail for horror attack

Steven Gaskell, 45, of Chapel Street, Pemberton, had initially denied maliciously and unlawfully intending to cause Gary Sweeney grievous bodily harm - the most serious form of assault after attempted murder - but then changed his plea before the matter could go to trial.

Bolton Crown Court heard that Mr Sweeney was repeatedly struck during a confrontation inside The Old Pear Tree on Frog Lane on Friday September 18. Then when he went outside to sit in the beer garden, Mr Sweeney was attacked by Gaskell for a second time, this time with both fist and knife blows.

The hearing was told that Mr Sweeney suffered a stab wound to the top of his left arm, a scratch and small graze to his lower left arm, a burst lip and two loosened teeth during the incident.

While at first denying the wounding with intent charge, Gaskell admitted from the start to possessing a green-handled knife with a 4ins blade.

Gaskell was given a jail term of three years and four months for the assault and a further 12 months for the knife possession although this sentence will be served concurrently with the first. A seven-year restraining order was imposed preventing him from contacting Mr Sweeney or entering The Old Pear Tree.

The judge also ordered that the weapon be confiscated.

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