Man given nine years for New Year’s party stabbing

A man from Melton has been jailed for nine years and four months after admitting to stabbing his neighbour in the street during a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Romil Vanderbeek was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Thursday 7 September) after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent at an earlier hearing.

The incident occurred after an argument broke out at a gathering at a house in South Street, Asfordby Hill, during the evening of Saturday 31 December.

As the argument spilled into the street, the 32-year-old of South Street, Asfordby Hill, stabbed a 27-year-old man multiple times.

Police were called to the area just before 9.30pm and when officers arrived Vanderbeek had left the scene. He was located and arrested a short time later.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries to his spleen, diaphragm and one of his lungs. He was discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.

Detective Constable Lucy Rossa, investigating officer, said: What started out as an argument between two people ended up with one man sustaining serious and significant injuries and another now facing a number of years in prison.

“This case shows that violence is not the answer for resolving disagreements and using a knife to threaten or injure another person has huge consequences for all of those involved.”