A man was viciously stabbed multiple times outside a busy Tesco supermarket in Staffordshire, sparking panic among shoppers. Pavel Stefanovic launched the brutal attack after a brief conversation with a fellow Lithuanian inside the Meir Park Tesco store.
Violence Erupts in Car Park
The victim and Stefanovic moved outside to the car park, where the attacker pulled out a concealed Stanley knife and slashed at the man’s hand, arm, legs, and nose. Witnesses described the victim’s wife screaming in terror as Stefanovic swung the blade.
Police arrived after a tense 20-minute standoff, finding Stefanovic still brandishing the knife and threatening to kill. A second Stanley knife was discovered in his pocket.
Jailed and Facing Deportation
Stefanovic, 39, from Meir, was jailed for 29 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. The sentence likely means he will be deported back to Lithuania. Prosecutors revealed Stefanovic had a previous 5-year sentence in Lithuania for grievous bodily harm involving a knife.
Judge Condemns the “Serious and Persistent” Attack
“You swung a knife at the victim’s face, cutting his hand, stabbing his arm and leg, and caused multiple wounds,” said Judge Richard McConaghy. “This was a persistent incident that caused serious alarm and distress in a busy public place.”
“Given you are a foreign national, your prison term will trigger automatic deportation.”
The victim sustained a 2cm cut to his left hand, a puncture wound on his right forearm, and other injuries requiring stitches. Stefanovic pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and possession of bladed articles in public.
This terrifying attack has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising concerns over knife crime in public spaces.
