This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/10/sergeant-jailed-horrifying-machete-attack-fellow-soldier-john-norwood
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Sergeant jailed for 'horrifying' machete attack on fellow soldier Sergeant jailed for 'horrifying' machete attack on fellow soldier | |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| An army colour sergeant has been jailed for eight years for a “horrifying” machete attack on a fellow soldier, as it was revealed he had previously served time for the culpable homicide of his uncle. | An army colour sergeant has been jailed for eight years for a “horrifying” machete attack on a fellow soldier, as it was revealed he had previously served time for the culpable homicide of his uncle. |
| A jury at Portsmouth crown court convicted John Norwood, of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, of the wounding with intent of L/Sgt James Warnock at Mons barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 11 July last year. | A jury at Portsmouth crown court convicted John Norwood, of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, of the wounding with intent of L/Sgt James Warnock at Mons barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 11 July last year. |
| David Richards, for the prosecution, said the machete sliced Warnock’s shoulder and caused an injury to the nerves of his left hand, meaning he could no longer hold a weapon and faced a possible medical discharge from the army. | David Richards, for the prosecution, said the machete sliced Warnock’s shoulder and caused an injury to the nerves of his left hand, meaning he could no longer hold a weapon and faced a possible medical discharge from the army. |
| Sentencing Norwood, the judge James Townsend said he took into account the defendant’s “exemplary” service in the army. He added: “The injury suffered was a horrific one and caused [Warnock] long-term distress.” | Sentencing Norwood, the judge James Townsend said he took into account the defendant’s “exemplary” service in the army. He added: “The injury suffered was a horrific one and caused [Warnock] long-term distress.” |
| In a statement read to the court, Warnock, who has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, said: “I have known danger and faced enemy troops during these tours; the attack on me by John Norwood left me terrified for my own safety in my own camp environment where I should be safe and secure. | In a statement read to the court, Warnock, who has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, said: “I have known danger and faced enemy troops during these tours; the attack on me by John Norwood left me terrified for my own safety in my own camp environment where I should be safe and secure. |
| “I can only describe how I felt as horrifying. Seeing my mum think she might lose her son was perhaps more upsetting than the assault.” | “I can only describe how I felt as horrifying. Seeing my mum think she might lose her son was perhaps more upsetting than the assault.” |
| The court was told that Norwood, 39, a father of two, was previously jailed for 18 months in 1996 for the culpable homicide of his uncle, Matthew Houston, 35, who died after he fell from a balcony during a fight with the defendant. | The court was told that Norwood, 39, a father of two, was previously jailed for 18 months in 1996 for the culpable homicide of his uncle, Matthew Houston, 35, who died after he fell from a balcony during a fight with the defendant. |
| The court heard that Norwood was not judged to be wholly responsible for Houston’s death because Houston refused medical treatment for his injuries. | The court heard that Norwood was not judged to be wholly responsible for Houston’s death because Houston refused medical treatment for his injuries. |
| The court was also told that Norwood was jailed for two years in March 2000 for three counts of wounding following a pub fight in Burnley. | The court was also told that Norwood was jailed for two years in March 2000 for three counts of wounding following a pub fight in Burnley. |
| Alistair Wright, for the defence, said Norwood had written a letter to the judge expressing his regret for the barracks attack. | Alistair Wright, for the defence, said Norwood had written a letter to the judge expressing his regret for the barracks attack. |
| He added: “This is a loss to the army and, through that, a loss to the rest of us because, but for these events, this is someone you would want looking after your country.” | He added: “This is a loss to the army and, through that, a loss to the rest of us because, but for these events, this is someone you would want looking after your country.” |
| Richards told the trial that the attack at Mons barracks followed a confrontation in The George pub in Aldershot town centre during which Warnock punched the defendant to the ground. | Richards told the trial that the attack at Mons barracks followed a confrontation in The George pub in Aldershot town centre during which Warnock punched the defendant to the ground. |
| He said Norwood, angered by his wounded pride, returned to the barracks to retrieve a machete and went searching for Warnock. | He said Norwood, angered by his wounded pride, returned to the barracks to retrieve a machete and went searching for Warnock. |
| At about 3am, he went to the wrong room and swung the machete at the bed of Craftsman Nicholas Wood, 24. About two hours later he found Warnock’s room and attacked him. | At about 3am, he went to the wrong room and swung the machete at the bed of Craftsman Nicholas Wood, 24. About two hours later he found Warnock’s room and attacked him. |
| Norwood, of Pollok, Glasgow, told the trial that he had taken the machete “to put the fear of God into” Warnock. | Norwood, of Pollok, Glasgow, told the trial that he had taken the machete “to put the fear of God into” Warnock. |