Whittlesey man jailed for stabbing Deeping 17-year-old several times over 'drug debt'

Gavin Boot, 25, of Sycamore Road, Whittlesey, went to the property in Deeping St James looking for a 19-year-old whom he claimed owed him hundreds of pounds.

The youth was not at the house but Boot went on to confront the lad’s mother and 17-year-old brother.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said that Boot slapped the 17-year-old in the face and threatened him saying “I’m coming for my money. I’ll stop at no limits until its in. I want my money.”

Boot then produced a screwdriver and was punched in the face by the 17-year-old who believed he was about to be stabbed.

Mr Howes said “The boy gave him an upper cut. The defendant then stabbed at him several times.

“The mother saw the defendant striking the screwdriver into her son and tried to intervene and was caught by the screwdriver. Blood was dripping down the arm of the 17 year old and his T-shirt was torn.

“The defendant left the scene shouting ‘I’ll be back with a petrol bomb’.”

The 17 year old was taken to Peterborough Hospital where he was treated for a superficial laceration to his right arm and abrasions.

Boot, admitted charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon as a result of the incident on 16 November 2017. He also admitted being in breach of a conditional discharge and breach of a suspended jail sentence.

He was jailed for 22 months and given a five year restraining order banning him from contacting the 17-year-old and his older brother and banning him from entering the cul de sac where they live.

John McNally, in mitigation, said “He knows he was an idiot for what he did. His disagreement was with the brother. He sought to call in a debt. It was related to drugs.”

He said that at the time of the incident Boot’s father was being cared for in a hospice and passed away soon afterwards.

Mr McNally added that Boot has sobered up since being remanded in custody and now realises that his behaviour needs to change.