Two teenagers jailed earlier this week for a machete attack on another teen in Longbridge 18 months ago have been named by West Midlands Police.
And a West Midlands Police officer has been commended for his quick-thinking actions which swiftly led to their arrest following the incident.
The 16 year old victim, a local student, suffered deep slash wounds to his legs in Tessall Lane in the attack on the morning of Wednesday 13th September 2017.
He managed to make it to the JobCentre Plus at the junction of Bristol Road South for help.
A West Midlands Police officer from Birmingham’s Organised Crime Unit was inside the job centre, carrying out enquiries when he heard screaming outside.
He went out to to find a crowd of people gathered around the victim, who had collapsed due to significant blood loss from eight knife wounds.
The officer called in an armed unit patrolling nearby to carry out emergency fast aid.
He was then quickly able to track down CCTV footage showing the victim being marched across a car-park to a grassed area and the offenders returning moments later without him.
The officer direct response officers to search key locations in the local area and the two 16 year old suspects, Sadiki Richardson and Delayni Woodcock, were arrested in Longbridge. Richardson was stoll carrying the bloodstained machete used in the attack.
Both offenders are now 18 years old and while Richardson admitted wounding, Woodcock pleaded innocence but was found guilty after trial. Both were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday (13th May). Richardson, from Kings Heath, was jailed for eight years four months while Woodcock, from Druids Heath, was sentenced to 10 years eight months.
The officer who facilitated the arrest received a commendation from the force.
Inspector Al Teague from the Birmingham Organised Crime Unit, said: “The judge praised the officer’s work on the day and said had it not been for his swift intervention the victim could have died and the offenders escaped.
“This was a vicious attack which we believed was as a result of an argument shortly before. The student suffered very serious slash wounds and there were fears his injuries could have been life threatening at the time.
“The officer knows the area well and through his line of work has a good understanding of where people with gang links operate. We soon had the suspects in custody and they have rightly been handed very long custodial sentences.
“These are young men who were just 16-years-old at the time. They will now be spending many years away from society and have seriously jeopardised their life prospects – it should act as a warning to anyone who thinks getting involved with gangs is an attractive proposition.”
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Michelle Woolgrove, said the young victim showed tremendous bravery in speaking out and that his testimony helped secure a conviction.
She added: “He has the physical scars for life but is also being helped to overcome the psychological impact of being involved in such a shocking incident.
“He is on a very long road to recovery but hearing the sentences passed on these two offenders is a great starting point. I wish him and his family my best wishes for the future.”
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