Teacher stabbed in Sunderland city centre attack
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A hearing held at Newcastle Crown Court was told the victim was targeted without reason as he walked past the Travel Lodge in Sunderland city centre last spring and was chased and then jabbed in the arm by Nathan McCabe.
McCabe admitted he carried out the violence but said he lashed out because a stranger had tried to kiss his girlfriend then they both were attacked, which caused him to "become annoyed".
He said he then jabbed out with the scissors in anger.
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Hide AdThe court heard the injury to the teacher's arm was superficial and was caused by a small pair of scissors.
As no evidence was offered to dispute McCabe's account, he was sentenced on that basis.
McCabe, 21, of Ashwell Road, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to assault and possessing an offensive weapon.
Judge Edward Bindloss said the case was "unusual" and sentenced him to seven months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements.
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Hide AdA 17-year-old who was convicted of affray in relation to the incident has been dealt with by the youth court.
Judge Bindloss told McCabe: "You stated you were with your girlfriend. One of the males tried to kiss her and she pushed him away and the male punched her to the ground.
"Then, when you went over, you were assaulted and put to the ground.
"You then became annoyed and took some scissors from your bag and you stabbed a male in the arm with them."
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Hide AdThe teacher said in his victim statement he did "absolutely nothing wrong and didn't deserve to be assaulted in any way".
He added: "I feared for my life."
Liam O'Brien, defending, told the court that McCabe has "completely turned his life around" since the attack, which happened 18 months ago, and that he is "now a completely different person".
Mr O'Brien added that in the time since the offence McCabe has gained qualifications and has been accepted for a good job abroad.