Thug stabbed a total stranger

February 08, 2010

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Paul Johnstone

A man who stabbed a stranger in the chest, narrowly missing his heart, has been jailed.

Paul Johnstone, 28, had stopped his victim in the street to ask for a cigarette.

Johnstone, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to wounding and was jailed for six years.

He was with two friends when he stopped the victim on Wadeson Road, Gorton, in August. Two of the victim’s friends then arrived.

Johnstone pulled out a knife and stabbed the man once in the chest, puncturing his right lung.

Police said that the 23-year-old victim could have been killed in the attack.

Who else has been locked up in February? Sentences and photo gallery

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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

curiousyellow, Rusholme (08/02/2010 at 08:48)

six years??????
is this a sick joke?

Moorlok, London (08/02/2010 at 09:11)

Sadly another statistic we have all become too familiar with over the last 13 years. He should be in for a minimum of 25 years, this is attempted murder after all!

Sadly he will be out in less than 3 years.

michael myers (08/02/2010 at 09:29)

throw away the key

Ace Riley, outsidethebox (08/02/2010 at 09:34)

Tis is yet another joke sentence by a failing justice system.

Joe Whittaker (08/02/2010 at 09:36)

25 years minimum get rid of the flith on our streets

MPs gravy train, UK (08/02/2010 at 10:10)

Six years for attempted murder. And I bet he'll be out within 2. Build some more prisons and stop giving low sentences simply because we don't have the cells. We can pay for it with lower police budgets when more of the filth is off the streets.

No doubt the victim was off work for months and is still traumatised. How must he feel?

thoughtful, East of Manchester (08/02/2010 at 10:46)

I blame the people of Chadderton who protested so vigorously when the government tried to build a new prison there. You can't have it every which way, either prisons are built or ciminals get very short inappropriate sentences. Sometimes local objections are going to have to be over ridden, because at the moment groups of Nimbys protest against everything, no matter how small. Look at Phil Nevilles house.

Sheikh Rattle 'n' Roll With It, Bury (08/02/2010 at 11:18)

What an absolute joke!...... are my memories fading, but I am sure in the 70's someone would have got 15+ years for such an offence. I don't go for all that bull that, 'how can you prove it was attempted murder', if you stab someone in the chest, I am sure you will think to yourself 'I could kill this person by my actions'.

Ste , Cheshire (08/02/2010 at 11:33)

Cant see it being his first offence either! I agree build some more prisons and start locking people up for longer. Attempted Murder should be a minimum of 20 years inside. Life when you have murdered someone should mean life and it shouldnt include having a TV in your cell and being able to hire Sky ! I read last week that the prison service bought 14000 new flat screen tv's last year for their prisons and that 4000 prisoners have got sky in their rooms! These wasters should have no luxuries in Prison.

No wonder this lad of no fixed address thought he may be better off inside! He was probably as disappointed with the sentence as us!

Almighty God, Salford - vote Green (08/02/2010 at 11:45)

there's more to this than has been reported, no one ever gets stabbed over nothing. eitherway, 6 years is a joke

Splat!, Utopia (08/02/2010 at 11:56)

Disgraceful sentence. Gives this moron and others like hime absolutely no deterrent whatsoever.

The Legal Eagle, Winsford (08/02/2010 at 13:13)

His left ear looks a bit "Sticky Out"

Penny Lane, Manchester (08/02/2010 at 13:18)

I blame the people of Chadderton.........what for some loon stabbing someone? Get a grip and if you knew the area of Chadderton this was to be built you would know why objections not for prisons but where they are built. Very strange comment to make I think........

Simishine, Manchester (08/02/2010 at 13:27)

Well done to the judge to giving a laugh of a sentence... This offender should be hanging from a tree, when will the courts and the Government wake up

Belrock, England (08/02/2010 at 13:55)

That Guy in the fake canoeing death got 6 years, there again it was for stealing £200,000,which is obviously means more to the law makers than some knife carrying idiot stabbing another human being. Its all about the money!

BALL AND BAT, ALL OVER (08/02/2010 at 14:09)

Six years for stabbing a total stranger ,what is this a joke that man could have been killed for no reason the judge doesnt make the sentance up its the government im sure of that we should have the gallows back and this guy along with other scum should all hang then burn.
What is the uk coming too we the joe public should vote for the death penalty as im sure it would be a landslide win in favour.
Wheres this victims human rights the atacker should have non bread and water and locked up 24 hours a day.

Black Flag (08/02/2010 at 14:19)

BALL AND BAT: "we the joe public should vote for the death penalty as im sure it would be a landslide win in favour."

That opportunity arises at least once every five years and it never pans out that way.

Stevedore, Quayside (08/02/2010 at 14:20)

Belrock, England

As I've said before on these columns, English Law is more about the protection of property than it is about the protection of individuals.

Dzenko, Manchester (08/02/2010 at 16:59)

Shame am not the Judge otherwise this thug would have been jailed for 12 years MINIMUM!!! Am sick to death of hearing soft sentences given out to violent criminals!

Rimsky (08/02/2010 at 17:16)

Almighty God, Salford - vote Green.......... What are you on about you clown? There are many crimes where people lash out or attack without any good reason, drugs, drink or mental problems can be the core issue behind the continual growth of innocent victims.

Jetstar, Manchest`oh ! (08/02/2010 at 19:11)

did the judge actually find out why this low life decided to stab a complete stranger for no reason?
6 years is another joke sentence, he should be serving 25 years as i bet my pension he will be out in under 3 years committing more crimes.

is it me or does he resemble Ashley from Corry? Uncle Fred Elliott, I say Fred Elliott will be turning in his grave!

allmodcons, prestwich (08/02/2010 at 19:14)

lets hope his victim is waiting to greet him on his (no doubt)early release with a nice little gift....

Joseph Skelton (08/02/2010 at 23:12)

This is disgusting. No matter what his situation this man should be locked away for life. The fact that the victim did not die does not change the crime. This man is a monster. I am beggining to loose any faith in human nature.

Ivor Rash, Oldham (08/02/2010 at 23:31)

Black Flag, have I missed something? I've been voting for 32 years and have never had the chance to vote on the death penalty.

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (09/02/2010 at 08:39)

He should be in Broadmoor never mind prison, who in their right mind stabs a total stranger over a cigarette.

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