Teenager slashed male's neck near Metro station on Sunderland line

The youth, who can't be named due to his age, was carrying a knife with him when he came across his victim near Brockley Whins station, which serves the Boldon Colliery area on the Sunderland Metro line.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the pair hadn't seen each other for some time but there had been some history between them in the past.

The youth claimed he carried a knife "regularly" to use for his own protection.

Judge Timothy Gittins told him: "As you left the station, clearly harbouring a grudge for whatever reason, you saw him come over the bridge with his bike.

"You approached him at speed and produced the knife that you used upon him.

"Worryingly you were carrying that knife, you say you did so at around that time for your own protection but this wasn't for protection because you attacked him as he tried to defend himself.

"He was unable to prevent you from two slashing motions in quick succession towards his face and neck."

Judge said the youth "took the opportunity to attack him by chance" with a "highly dangerous weapon".

He was charged with attempted murder which he was cleared of by a jury after trial.

He instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of wounding with intent and claimed he felt scared because the victim had "squared up to him."

In an impact statement, the male said he was angry at the attack which has left him suffering with throat and neck pain.

Josh Normanton, defending, said the defendant had written a letter to the judge in which he expressed his apologies.

Judge Gittins said it was "well written" and accepted the defendant did not want to spend anymore time in custody.

He sentenced him to two-years-and-three months in a Young Offender's Institute.

At the end of the hearing the youth said: "Thank you very much, your honour."

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order against the male.