Judge's 'prison food joke' after knifeman gains seven stones in custody

A KNIFEMAN who stabbed his victim in the buttocks with a flick knife gained seven stones in weight while waiting to be sentenced.

The judge told the barrister representing Ben White (34), of Pike Road, Brinsworth, at Sheffield Crown Court, “Well at least the prison food has been edible.”

White was put in custody after stabbing a man with a flick knife following an altercation in April last year.

His barrister, Ms Joy Merriam, said White had found his time in custody difficult — having had one face to face visit in that time.

“He has been in custody for 15 months and has gained over seven stones in weight in that time, due to the fact he has been incarcerated for 23 hours a day,” she said.

Recorder Benjamin Nolan, who jailed White for 30 months, said: “There has to be a prison sentence because of the nature of the wounding offence.

“I propose to pass a sentence that will permit his almost immediate release because I appreciate the last 15 months have been incredibly difficult conditions for prisoners because of the Covid restrictions.”

Mr Nadim Bashir, prosecuting, said White had an argument in the street with two brothers last April.

“It seems the argument developed into a scuffle and in the course of the scuffle White produced a knife,” he said.

“There was a chase, and in the course of that chase, the complainant was cornered and he was stabbed once in the buttock, causing a 2cm entry wound which required some stitches in hospital, with no lasting effects.”

Mr Bashir said White had been carrying the flick knife in his pocket.

White admitted offences of wounding and possession of a bladed article in connection with the stabbing and criminal damage, making threats to cause criminal damage and handling stolen goods for unconnected incidents.