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KNIFED IN THE NECK
Shocking moment drunk heroin addict stabs teen in neck with pair of scissors
Joseph Gilbin was left unable to use his right hand after the attack, which left onlookers screaming in horror
THIS is the shocking moment a drunk heroin addict stabs a teen in the neck with a pair of scissors.
Gary Gilbertson was jailed for 10 years after launching an unprovoked attack on Joseph Giblin, which left the teen unable to use his right hand.
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The stab wound - which just missed a major artery - caused a compressed spinal nerve injury from which the 17-year-old may never recover.
Teen Joseph was attacked as he danced and sang along to a busker with around 25 people in Liverpool city centre at 5am on June 12.
The "party atmosphere" was ruined when alcoholic Gilbertson started arguing with a young woman.
She told him to leave but the 41-year-old, who drinks eight to 10 cans of super-strength lager a day, began arguing with another youngster - who spotted the scissors in his hand.
In shocking video footage the 18-year-old is seen shouting a warning about as he stands behind Joseph and his pal Lee Parry.
Gilbertson walks towards the group when Giblin bravely steps forward to calm the situation.
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As Joseph then puts his hand up in self-defence, Gilbertson lunges and stabs him in the neck.
Joseph falls to the ground after the devastating blow, before Gilbertson aims a "haymaker swing" at his pal Lee.
Judge Brian Cummings, QC, told the attacker: "You were behaving in an extremely aggressive manner.
"You had in your hand but plainly concealed by your sleeve a pair of scissors with the blade foremost."
Gilbertson, of Kirkdale, Merseyside, has been jailed for 10 years and eight months and given an extended five years on licence.
Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, said: "He described it as being that close he felt the wind caused by his arm on his face as he swung the scissors in front of him."
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After the stabbing, another member of the group wrestled Gilbertson to the ground before punching and kicking him.
The attacker eventually got up and tried to flee - but was stopped by Lee who wrestled him to the floor and detained him until police arrived.
The drug addict said he had no recollection of the attack and blamed it on the "severe head injuries" and broken eye socket he suffered.
Gilbertson, who has 38 previous convictions and 89 offences including assaults and possessing blades, admitted wounding with intent, attempted wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
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Joseph suffered a two millimetre puncture to the left side of his neck and spent a month in hospital.
Doctors feared the youngster, who can no longer write or hold a phone with his right hand, suffered a stroke.
The teen faces an agonising 18-month wait to see if he will recover.
Brave Joseph told the court: "I can't begin to explain the devastating effect this has had on my life."
Judge Cummings said Joseph's carotid artery had been severed - which could have killed him.
He added that if he had died Gilbertson would have been facing a life sentence with a starting point of 25 years for murder.
The judge said: "You should reflect on that."
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