Steven Colin Hardy, of no fixed address, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of five years at Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The court heard that the attack took place on the morning of Monday 23 September 2024.
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The 32-year-old victim and his partner were dining at a café on West Street when they became unsettled by a man staring at them.
As the couple left the café around 11am and walked near the Quay Street junction, the victim was suddenly stabbed in the back from behind.
Believing at first that he had been punched, the victim quickly realised he had been seriously injured. He and his partner fled to the nearby police station on Quay Street for help.
Multiple witnesses saw the attack and promptly called emergency services.
They reported seeing the suspect hide the knife in his pocket and continue to follow the injured man towards the police station.
Upon arrival at the station, the victim was immediately given first aid by a station enquiry officer and taken to a secure area for protection.
Police officers arrested Hardy shortly after he entered the station and surrendered the weapon.
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Hardy was later charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a knife in a public place, and possession of cannabis. He admitted all charges ahead of a scheduled trial.
Alongside the life sentence, Hardy was handed a concurrent 12-month sentence for the knife and drug offences. Under the terms of the life sentence, Hardy will only be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of five years.
Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy, district commander for Fareham, praised the swift response of police personnel.
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He said: “The quick actions of the station enquiry officers and members of our Neighbourhood Policing Team helped to ensure that the victim, his partner, or any other members of the public didn’t come to further harm following this shocking incident.
“Thankfully the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening, but Hardy’s actions could have caused much more serious harm.
“We will continue to do all we can to ensure that those who carry knives will face the full consequences for their actions. This case sends a strong message: no good ever comes from carrying a weapon. The consequences can destroy lives forever.”
