A 20-year-old man, Jordan McFarlane, has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for stabbing a drug user in an unprovoked attack. The incident occurred in Tennyson Road, Worthing, on the evening of July 26.
The 32-year-old victim, described as a vulnerable drug user, suffered two stab wounds in the attack. He was promptly taken to the hospital, where he was treated for serious, albeit non-life-threatening, injuries. The victim had arranged to meet McFarlane to purchase drugs when he was unexpectedly assaulted by the younger man.
McFarlane, from Chadwell Heath, Barking, was apprehended near his home two days following the incident. Upon his arrest, he was found with a knife concealed in his waistband. Further investigation, including an examination of his mobile phone, revealed that McFarlane had been consistently supplying Class A drugs, specifically crack cocaine and diamorphine, to the victim.
Charged with drug supply, possession of a knife in public, and causing grievous bodily harm, McFarlane pleaded guilty to all charges. He received his sentence at Lewes Crown Court on November 6. In addition to his prison term, McFarlane was issued a Serious Violence Reduction Order (SVRO) for 24 months effective from his release date. This order grants police the authority to search him in public to ensure he is not carrying any offensive weapons.
