Birthday horror as 16-year-old’s occasion sees uninvited gang stab and shoot friends
Jamil Bennett got into an argument with a guest at a peer’s birthday party and made a phone call that resulted in the bash descending into chaos with armed men attacking revellers
Guests at a 16th birthday party were shot and stabbed by an uninvited gang after a disagreement at the bash.
The celebrations at a house in Stockton, Teesside turned sour after party-goer Jamil Bennett got into an argument with another reveller. In an act of retaliation, Bennett made a phone call that resulted in an armed group forcing their way into the house party in 2020.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the party descended into chaos with some guests shot with BB guns and others stabbed with knives.
A member of the gang was also seen swinging an extendable baton as guests cowered in hiding spots. The court heard that although “the police have a good idea” who the attackers were, they do not have sufficient evidence to charge them.
Bennett, now aged 21, was 16 when he attended the do on February 15, 2020. He was found to have no idea of the level of violence that would follow the phone call he made; or that the gang who arrived around 9.30pm would be armed.
On Wednesday, the court heard that the first guest was attacked by the violent mob after they came in through the back garden gate. They stabbed the man in the face three times and shot him with a BB gun.
The victim had a nerve in his finger severed and has been left with permanent scars on his cheek from the knife wounds.
Other guests were shot and stabbed – with one female victim undergoing surgery after a gun pellet was lodged in her hand. Further victims were shot in the arm and the face.
Bennett, from Thornaby, pleaded guilty to five counts of grievous bodily harm. In mitigation, Rob Mochrie told the court Bennett tried to help police identify the attackers and that some people were interviewed, but there was no evidence.
“His account is that he was trailing at the back of the mob,” Mr Mochrie said. “The victim who suffered grave injuries is a close friend of Mr Bennett.”
The court heard that Bennett, who has no other convictions, now has a job in telecommunications, in London. “Because of criminal records checks, he has had to notify his employer of today’s hearing and his prospects now look ominous,” Mr Mochrie added. “He’s due to have a meeting. No doubt his employer would love to keep him on, but he fears they won’t be able to. It’s a double blow to him.”
Judge Richard Clews said: “This was an absolutely horrific incident. The birthday party should have been a happy, joyous occasion. It turned into an absolute and complete nightmare for a number of families involved.
“I have to consider what your culpability is. You didn’t cause any injuries, but if you hadn’t made that phone call the guests wouldn’t have been attacked.”
Bennett was handed an 18-month court order, and ordered to attend 45 rehabilitation days with the probation service.
“Those principally responsible for the attacks have not been brought to justice” the judge continued, “and it would be wrong to take that out on you.”
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