Four years’ prison for “frenzied knife attack”

Tuesday 04 August 2020

A man who stabbed another up to 15 times in a late-night drunken brawl last Christmas Eve has been jailed for four years.

Scott McCaffrey (27) punctured his victim's lung and cut his hands, chest and face during the "frenzied knife attack” in Vauxhall Street last December.

The victim’s partner, who was attempting to break the men up, was caught by the combat-style knife, although her injuries were not serious.

Having already pleaded guilty to two counts of grave and criminal Assault, one count of possession of an offensive weapon and one of possession of cannabis, McCaffrey was sentenced by the Royal Court yesterday. 

Pictured: Scott McCaffrey repeatedly stabbed his victim.

Crown Advocate Richard Pedley said that McCaffrey had deliberately armed himself and had seen "red mist", which had been aggravated by alcohol and substance abuse.

"Although he deeply regrets his actions, there appears to remain a lot of hostility towards the victim," he added. 

Defending McCaffrey, Advocate Julian Gollop said his client’s intention was "not to cause violence but to prevent it". He said that the victim’s girlfriend had asked McCaffrey to join her because she feared her partner might be violent towards her.

Pictured: Advocate Julian Gollop represented McCaffrey.

“The victim was the aggravator,” said Advocate Gollop. “He punched Mr McCaffrey in the face, which knocked off his glasses. He then pulled out the knife and told the victim to stop, which he did not. My client could not see so lashed out.” 

Mr Gollop added that his client was a first-time offender, he had admitted his guilt and had cooperated with the police, unlike the victim, who had refused to give a statement.

“He is deeply remorseful and regrets his actions on that night,” said Advocate Gollop. “He is not a violent person who normally carries a knife in public. He has a history of alcohol and substance abuse but, in all other aspects, he is a man of good character, who wants to start afresh when he is freed from prison.”

Passing sentence, the Bailiff, Timothy Le Cocq, said: “This was frenzied attack and it is extremely fortunate that the victim’s injuries were not more severe. 

“Anyone who takes a knife and uses it, especially under the influence of alcohol, loses control over their actions. It could not get any more dangerous.”

At the end of the sentencing, Detective Inspector Christina Maclennan, head of the Police’s Serious Crime Unit, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that knife crime is still very rare in Jersey and that ongoing partnership work will aim to continue to reduce this still further.

“We hope this sentencing sends a strong message that the carrying of a knife in public or the criminal use of a knife remains completely unacceptable and that those who do so will be arrested and dealt with by the full force of the law.”