Knifeman jailed for seven years over attack on soldiers

Victims Matthew Medlam and Liam Matley were with another friend, Lee Midgley, also a soldier, outside the Venue nightclub in the city centre in the early hours of March 7 last year when they saw Nicolas Flaherty in an agitated state get out of car nearby.

Paul Williams, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court the trio overheard him saying: "I'm up for cutting someone tonight," and aggressively saying to another man, "What are you looking at?"

He then approached Mr Medlam asking him if he had a problem. He did not take the matter seriously and called him a "numpty" even though Flaherty was then holding a knife.

When Flaherty threatened: "I'll stab you, I'll stab you" again, Mr Medlam did not take him seriously and laughed at him – but Flaherty then stabbed him twice in the chest, puncturing the skin.

He fell to the ground, then noticing Flaherty was also holding a second knife.

Mr Matley stepped in to prevent the attacker striking a third blow to his friend and was stabbed in his left arm.

Mr Williams said Flaherty was ranting and told another person: "I'll slash anyone, me."

After he was arrested he told police he had drunk quite a lot and "had little bits in my head".

Mr Medlam underwent surgery and was admitted for observation while his friend's wound was cleaned and fixed with adhesive strips.

All three soldiers later saw service in Afghanistan.

Jon Gregg, for Flaherty, said it was by luck rather than judgment he had not caused more serious injuries. That had brought him to his senses and he was determined to stay clear of drink and drugs in the future.

Flaherty, 22, of Bradford Road, Pudsey, admitted wounding Mr Medlam with intent and unlawfully wounding Mr Matley.

Jailing him the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said they were serious offences.