Nyrell Lewis, aged 26, from Kings Heath got into an argument with the bouncer having already been banned from the venue
A pub-goer stabbed a security guard with a machete on the day of one of England’s Euro 2024 matches. Nyrell Lewis turned up at The Shaftmoor in Hall Green with another male despite the fact both had been banned a few weeks earlier.
When a bouncer confronted both of them in the beer garden the 26-year-old pulled out a 10-inch long blade and then chased him through the boozer causing bedlam. He stabbed doorman Mandella Booth in the arm before the machete was wrestled from his grasp.
Lewis, of Effingham Road, Kings Heath, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to four years at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, September 24.
The incident took place around 9pm on July 6 after England had beaten Switzerland to progress to the Euro 2024 semi-final. Prosecutor Madhu Rai said: “The defendant had gone into this pub with an unknown male who was with him. Both these males had previously been banned two months earlier from this pub.
“Mr Booth was made aware the defendant and the other male had come back into the pub. He went to the pub garden to tell him to leave and escort him off the premises.”
Miss Rai said an argument unfolded and Mr Booth said ‘come on lads you know the rules’, prompting Lewis’s associate to ‘get close to his face’. She told the court the unknown male then gave Lewis a nod.
The prosecutor added: “The Crown say that was a signal to the defendant because after that nod the defendant drew out his knife. Mr Booth suddenly saw the defendant had a large knife and shouted ‘It’s a knife’.”
The court heard Mr Booth and a colleague tried to shut the pub doors but Lewis forced himself through and chased them with the knife. Miss Rai stated the defendant ‘repeatedly’ struck at the security guard inflicting a ‘forceful stab’ wound to his arm.
While Lewis was being restrained his accomplice left the pub, prompting staff to jam the door with a pool cue. Miss Rai said: “The struggle continued and efforts are made to try and disarm the defendant who is still holding the knife.
“At some point the knife is removed. While others are restraining the defendant it is shown on the footage that Mr Booth returns to the defendant during the struggle while he is being restrained and punches him.”
Mohammed Riaz, defending, stated Lewis had ironically worked as a security guard himself, adding he was ‘deeply embarrassed and ashamed’ of his actions. The barrister told the court he acted out of ‘misguided loyalty’ to his associate and described the attack as a ‘moment of madness’.
Mr Riaz explained that Lewis had a machete on him for his own protection having been robbed in the past. He said: “It was very much out of character. There is a different side to this defendant. He is held in high regard by his peers.”
Recorder Charles Foster said: “You are 26 years old with no previous convictions. Your first appearance before the court is for one of the most grave offences in the criminal catalogue.”
Source – Birmingham Mail
