Knifeman caught hiding in loft insulation jailed

A knifeman who repeatedly stabbed a man in the street before being caught by police hiding under loft insulation has been jailed.

Officers were called to Morven Avenue in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, at about 13:00 GMT on 11 October after James Pedley stabbed a man in his 40s in the torso and neck as the pair "brawled" near some garages.

Police said Pedley, 41, was found two days later in a loft at an address in Dalestorth Street in the town.

Pedley, of Elder Street in Sutton-in-Ashfield, was jailed for 14 years at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, after he was found guilty of committing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Nottinghamshire Police said Pedley had travelled to meet the victim on a scooter and they had quickly become involved in an altercation in the street.

A phone recovered from the scene was found to have been dropped by Pedley during the fight.

After the attack, Pedley left on foot in "blood-soaked" clothes and went on the run, police added.

Pedley was hiding inside a house, where Kurt Horton and Tracey Hoff were living.

Officers said Pedley was hiding between floor beams and behind hatches, which could "only have been locked by another person".

Horton and Hoff were also arrested and clothing worn by Pedley on the day of the attack was found inside the property.

Hoff, 37, of Newcastle Street, Huthwaite, and Horton, 34, of Sherwood Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, both pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and will be sentenced at a later date.

Det Sgt Nathan Bingham said: "The meeting between these two men quickly developed into a fight and the presence of a knife has resulted in grave consequences for all concerned.

"The victim suffered serious injuries, losing large quantities of blood and requiring emergency surgery. The wounds from that day continue to impact on his life six months later.

"It is thanks to a rapid response by emergency services and the efforts of medical teams that he survived the attack."

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