Teen slashed man in face with knife at house party

A man who burst into a house with three accomplices and slashed a man's face has been jailed for four and a half years.

Harlie Johns, now aged 20, was jailed two years to the day after the violent attack at a house party in South Shields, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The victim said he had been scarred for life, while Recorder Nathan Moxon said the attack stemmed from a "dangerous" and potentially fatal mix of "immature young men fuelled by alcohol and bravado" and a "truly terrifying" knife.

Johns, of Norham Avenue South in South Shields, admitted intentional wounding, possessing a knife and violent disorder. Three other young men were given suspended sentences for violent disorder.

The victim and the four then-teenagers were all drinking at a house in South Shields in the early hours of 9 November 2024, the judge said.

Johns and the victim had an argument about the best way to cause the most pain to someone in a fight, the court heard, which led to both going outside.

The then 18-year-old pulled a "truly terrifying weapon" out of his trousers, the judge said, with the victim initially smashing a glass to deter an attack before running back into the house.

Johns and the other three shouted for the man to come outside for a "fair fight" before the group forced their way into the house, smashing a door off its hinges, the court heard.

Johns said he would stab the victim or his girlfriend, prompting the victim to "bravely" push his partner out of the way, the court heard.

Johns then slashed at the victim's stomach, neck and face, striking him in the nose and cheek, the court heard.

The four then fled but Johns and his two of his accomplices were arrested minutes later nearby.

Police said Johns appeared to be drunk and had discarded the knife close by, the court heard.

In a statement, the victim said he had been left with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and was self-conscious of the scars he would have for life.

Moxon said the scenario "involved a dangerous mix of immature young men fuelled by alcohol and bravado and the presence of a knife".

"The courts so frequently see this combination of factors ending with young men being killed," the judge said, adding "fortunately" Johns' actions were not fatal but they "did result in significant injury".

The other three attackers, who all admitted violent disorder and were all from South Shields, were:

• Jason Cassidy, of Sunniside Drive, jailed for 18 months suspended for two years
• Charlie Hatch, of Norham Avenue South, jailed for 18 months suspended for two years
• Connor Scarth, of Warkworth Avenue, jailed for 16 months suspended for two years

Each must comply with a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement and complete work with the probation service.

Restraining orders banning all four from contacting the victim were made to last for five years.

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.