Man sentenced for city centre stabbing

A man who was detained less than two hours after a knife attack in the city centre has been sentenced for more than nine years.

Daniel Edgar, of no fixed address, was arrested after the incident inside McDonald’s in Market Street, Leicester, shortly before 5am on Tuesday 2nd July.

Today (Thursday 5 December), at Leicester Crown Court, the 37-year-old was jailed for nine years and three months after pleading guilty in August to causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and possession of a bladed article.

Daniel Edgar

He was also sentenced for three unrelated offences – assault on emergency worker and two counts of racially aggravated public order which occurred on 9 June in the area of High Street, Leicester. This sentence will run concurrently.

When released from prison, Edgar will also be subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order – preventing him from entering the city centre.

A restraining order against the victim was also granted.

Edgar stabbed the victim – a man in his 20s – in the head with a knife multiple times after chasing him into the fast-food outlet. Luckily the victim's injuries were not serious.

The whole incident was captured on CCTV and after arriving to the scene police were able to quickly issue a detailed description of the suspect.

He was located by an officer near to St Nicholas Circle at 6.25am and charged with the offence later that day.

Detective Constable Beth McGuinness, from the force’s Complex Investigation team, said: “This was a violent and vicious unprovoked attack that was carried out in the middle of a public premises.

“Despite it being the early hours of the morning there were many people about. Not only is the victim extremely lucky not to have suffered any life changing injuries but it is also a relief that no one else was hurt.

“Carrying a knife when out in a public place and using it against someone is a choice. As a force we take knife crime very seriously and the force remains committed to continuously educate and inform people of the dangers of carrying a knife and the consequences.

“The #LivesNotKnives campaign was launched a number of years ago and continues to be actively promoted across the force area to deter people from carrying knives.”