Machete attacker who almost severed man's arm jailed

Mikiah Homer (24), of Manor Oaks Gardens, Sheffield, attacked the 31-year-old man outside an address on St Mary's View with a machete on April 22, last year.

He was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court today (Thursday) after pleading guilty to attempted murder an an earlier hearing.

Homer's victim was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to repair significant injuries to his neck, as well as damage to an artery and nerve in his arm, a police spokeswoman said.

Det Chief Insp Mark Oughton, the senior investigating officer, said: "The victim, as he waited for his friend outside of an address in St Mary’s View, saw a man approach him, take a machete and swing it at his neck, followed by a second blow towards the top of his head. 

"He was no doubt in fear of his life as Homer launched his vicious attack on him, before fleeing the scene as the emergency services were called.  

"A nickname of an offender was given to officers at the scene who, after carrying out initial enquiries, identified that person to be Homer.

"Two days later, we executed a warrant at Homer’s address and he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. 

"With Homer in custody, where he has remained since his arrest, we were able to match his fingerprints to those left at the crime scene."

Mr Oughton said it had been a lengthy and complex investigation.

"They [the detectives] did this at a time where detectives and staff were incredibly busy, working on a number of other complex and high-profile investigations, which required significant resources," he said.

“I’m pleased that Homer admitted his guilt and has now been jailed for this horrendous attack, which left the victim with a life-altering injury. 

“He now has long-term movement restriction as a result of his injuries, but the mental impact this has had on him will no doubt have also been life-changing. 

“I hope that knowing Homer is now behind bars for a significant length of time can offer him some closure.”