A teenager's been jailed for four and a half years for a knife attack in Yardley Wood.
The 17-year-old from Rubery was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to stabbing a delivery driver on McDonald’s car park on 27 January.
The court heard how the 22-year-old driver was initially attacked by a group of teens after he confronted them for messing about on the car park and kicking his car.
When he tried to run to safety, the offender pulled out a combat knife and plunged it into his arm - narrowly missing a major blood vessel.
Shocked customers and staff chased away the group and contacted emergency services; they took the driver inside and waited for help to arrive.
The victim was rushed to hospital, where he was found to have arterial and nerve damage. He underwent surgery, and although his injuries were not life-threatening, the nerve damage has left him with no feeling in his finger.
Police cordoned off the store for several hours to allow for a forensic investigation to take place.
Officers managed to identify the suspect after looking at CCTV from inside and outside the restaurant.
The teenager was arrested from his home address in Rubery the following day. In custody he admitted punching the driver, but denied stabbing him.
He later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possession of Class A drugs and was subsequently jailed.
Detective Constable Matt Standen, who led the investigation said: “This really was a shocking and vicious attack. The victim simply confronted the offender and his friends for kicking his car, and as a result he was stabbed. His life left hanging in the balance by a matter of millimetres.
“The level of violence used is as extreme as it is worrying, in my mind the offender had no regard for the victim’s life. Behaviour like this is totally unacceptable, and has no place in our society.
“His victim is still dealing with the physical and psychological effects of the attack and I hope that this sentence brings him some peace of mind.
“I also wish to extend my thanks to staff at McDonald’s for their help and cooperation at the time of the attack, and throughout the investigation.”
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