Teen cleared of attempted murder

Judge Alistair McCreath said 17-year-old Timothy Bendall posed a risk of committing further offences and imposed an indeterminate sentence for public protection.

Bendall, of Mason Road, Kidderminster, was sentenced to 18 months detention, which he must serve before he can apply to be released. The 231 days he has been in custody will count against his sentence. He had admitted the wounding offence but denied the murder attempt.

The jury of seven women and five men returned a unanimous not guilty verdict after a three-day trial at Worcester Crown Court. They heard how drunken Bendall used a carving knife to slash 22-year-old Richard Hogg across the neck, leaving a 6cm wound.

Prosecutor David Iles said the pair had been playing football a short time earlier at Bewdley Leisure Centre on August 14 last year. Bendall had taken exception to remarks made by Mr Hogg, who had driven him home. There was a fight and Bendall drove off in Mr Hogg's car, which he abandoned near Droitwich railway station.

Bendall told the court that he used the knife to take the top of drink bottles. He had drunk at least six bottles of lager on the night and could not remember the knife attack.

His barrister, Mark Jackson, said Bendall accepted use of the knife in the fight but claimed that he had been punched first. He had been concerned and frightened about what he had done and had since shown considerable remorse.

Mr Jackson said that Bendall's life had been marred by domestic violence. His mother had had several partners and the family had moved home 30 to 40 times. Bendall had suffered violence and at the age of eight had slept with a knife under his pillow in case he was attacked.

He was in danger of self harm and a tragic feature of the case was that being in detention was one place where he could feel secure. He had taken oportunities while in custody and there were references from prison staff.