A man left three people with catastrophic injuries after stabbing them with a Rambo knife - before sending a chilling Snapchat warning to one of their friends.
Ryan Cullen, 21, had summoned a taxi to an apartment block in Halliwell, Bolton following a 'nasty' exchange with a woman he'd been texting, where he was met by three men.
Bolton Crown Court heard that a short time after a fight broke out, with punches thrown between all four men. Backed into a corner, Cullen then pulled out a Rambo style knife in retaliation, stabbing the three men to the stomach.
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All three men had to be rushed to hospital for life-saving surgery after the attack on Peterhead Close on January 7. They were kept in intensive care for several days due to the horrific nature of their injuries.
The court heard that Cullen stabbed his first two victims 'quickly' followed by the third. Prosecuting, Helena Williams, told the court: "The whole incident lasted no more than 20 seconds."
He then made off from the scene, with the taxi driver that had dropped him off at the address reporting he saw Cullen 'running from the scene.'
Ms Williams told the court that following the attack, Cullen sent 'several messages' to the girl he'd been messaging before, saying: "If it's a war you want I'm not scared, I'll get my people involved, I already have."
He then sent the girl a Snapchat message of a picture of himself with a single finger on his lips and three laughing emojis, the court heard.
Cullen was quickly named to the police as the person who had caused the injuries to the three men and was arrested a short time later. He initially answered no comment to police interviews before giving a prepared statement in which he said he had used the knife to defend himself.
Ms Williams said that Cullen's basis for a guilty plea was that he needed to defend himself from the 'group attack. However, he now accepts his use of the knife was "excessive," she added.
None of the three victims gave detailed descriptions of what happened and didn't provide an account of why all three of them went to meet Cullen at the entrance to the block.
All three victims required major surgery and days spent in intensive care to save their lives. One of the men required a major blood transfusion and was taken for emergency services where it was found he had suffered multiple injuries to his bowel.
Another victim also required a major blood transfusion and emergency surgery.
Only one of the men provided a victim impact statement to the court, describing the effect the attack and subsequent injuries has had on his life since. Reading his statement, Miss Williams said: "I lost weight due to struggling to digest food. I live in fear, especially at night. I'm okay in open spaces but built up housing makes me worried."
Ms Williams added that he had been diagnosed with PTSD since the incident and is no longer able to work. His mother now also has assistance for sleeping and has anxiety.
"He used to care what he looked like and buy nice clothes but clothes no longer fit and he now buys cheap clothes online." Ms Williams added he has not been able to work but doesn't want to claim benefits as he's only 19-years-old.
Defending Cullen, Michelle Brown, told the court that he understands there was 'no justification' for taking the knife to the property and he has 'reflected on that'. She added he took the knife in anticipation that a fight may happen for his 'protection'.
"Clearly this could have led to fatal consequences. He was visibly shaken when told about the injuries. There is genuine remorse and reflection now," Ms Brown said.
"He shouldn't have gone to the flats in the first place. This is a regret for him and he has clear insight into this."
Sentencing Cullen to 39 months in prison for section 20 wounding, recorder Michael Blakey, said: "You were backed into a corner with your hands above your head to protect yourself. You struck out with a knife stabbing each of them in the stomach.
"It was a Rambo knife. In the heat of the moment you accept that the violence you dished out was excessive.
"I'd be failing grossly in my public duty if I didn't send you to prison. I understand the reasoning but there can't be an excuse for what you did, you shouldn't have gone there in the first place. It would have been the end of the matter but you did."
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