Bouncer thought he'd been thumped by reveller - then he felt blood

A party-goer who stabbed a bouncer after being denied entry to a Blackpool nightclub has been sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Arron Avery, 20, was refused entry to Trilogy on June 11, 2024, after his photo had been circulated among the door staff's group chat.

When Avery and a friend arrived at the club, he was informed that he was not allowed in. But after Avery's friend left and the doorman turned his back, Avery struck him in the back before walking away to join his friend, Preston Crown Court heard. Moments later, the doorman felt stiffness and trickling in his back, realising he had been stabbed and called for assistance, reports LancsLive.

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He was rushed to hospital and treated for a two-inch knife wound between his shoulder blades, which required both internal and external stitches. In a victim impact statement, the doorman revealed: "As a result of the stabbing I haven't slept properly. I hardly sleep at all. Since June, I have had difficulties sleeping."

He also mentioned that he was unable to work for two to three weeks following the attack but has since fully recovered from his injuries, although he will always bear a scar on his back.

Avery, of Northumberland Avenue, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to GBH and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He appeared via video link from prison at Preston Crown Court for sentencing.

He expressed remorse to his barrister, stating: "It is disgusting, what I did."

He mentioned his own experiences with knife crime when he lived in London and apologised for his actions.

Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi stated during sentencing: "You don't need me to tell you this could have been a lot more serious. You went out and you had a knife with you."

"When you became angry that you weren't allowed into the club, you stabbed someone. You don't need me to tell you that shouldn't have been your reaction but it could have been a lot more serious. You could have caused him a lot more harm."

"You could be facing a far greater sentence than the one I am about to impose today. In terms of the injury, thankfully, there were no lasting consequences."

Recorder Siddiqi highlighted that the offence was exacerbated by Avery's bail status for another violent offence at the time and took into account that he was only 20 years old when the offence was committed. She imposed a 40-month sentence for the stabbing, with a concurrent 12-month sentence for possessing a bladed article in public.