Teenager found guilty of GBH after stabbing outside The Brow shops

Freddie Gathithi, 19, attacked his victim with a knife outside the shops in The Brow in Watford on April 27 last year.

St Albans Crown Court heard Gathithi was captured on CCTV arguing with the man, who is in his 20s and who he knew, before stabbing him once in the upper back and fleeing the scene.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, rushed to the scene and a cordon was put in place. The victim's injuries were later confirmed not to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Police by The Brow in Watford in April 2021

In court on March 4, Gathithi, formerly of Watford, was convicted of section 20 grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.

He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced by a judge on May 4.

Police in The Brow

Detective Constable Lewis Mortimer, who investigated Gathithi, said: "This case shows just how blasé Gathithi was about not only carrying a knife, but actually using it to wound the victim during a disagreement.

"Thankfully the victim’s injury was not serious but if the blade had caught a major artery, then this could have very easily been a murder investigation in which the victim’s family would have been mourning his loss."

An air ambulance attended the scene

Watford Chief Inspector Ian Grout added: "We’re very pleased to have secured a conviction in this case, which was made possible thanks to the hard work of officers and our partners from Watford Borough Council.

"I’d like to reassure the community that we will continue to do all we can to remove weapons from the streets of Watford and bring to justice those who choose to commit offences by using them. We will not tolerate knife crime in our town."

Gathithi was found not guilty by the jury of possession of a bladed article and assault by beating in relation to an incident involving a different man on February 28 last year.