Achi news desk-
Jaypel Heira, 33, stabbed chef Austin Whithorn when an argument broke out at a jerk pan in Commercial Street, Southampton.
He left the victim with nerve damage after inserting a knife into his leg. Mr Whithorn tried to calm Khira down while arguing with a cashier.
As reported, Khaira turned around and went into the kitchen and Mr Whithorn then tried to prevent him from returning to the serving area.
Read more: Customer found guilty of stabbing chef after dispute over change
During that dispute Khira “stabbed him in the leg causing him a nasty injury”, Southampton Crown Court was told.
Jailing Khira for eight years, Judge Henry said he was a “danger to the public” who was willing to “resort to violence very quickly.”
The judge said that it was only by luck that more serious injuries were not caused.
To the defendant, from “The Polygon”, Southampton, he said: “This is a case where the public needs protection.”
Prosecutor Andrew Houston said the victim had since moved to London after giving up his job as the attack “played on his mind” and was “aware in the kitchen of where people were and what people were doing”.
He added that the incident, which left Mr Whithorn with nerve damage, also had a financial impact on him as he was unable to work while injured.
Read more: ‘He brought me to choke’ claims a man accused of stabbing one chef after another
Francisca da Costa, mitigating, said: “There is remorse and an understanding of the impact the incident had on the victim.”
She said he worked very hard and had been employed for two years and “his life was back on track and he saw his daughter.”
She added: “There is stability, and he is behaving legally.”
A probation report described Khira in a pre-sentence report as someone who “lacks judgment and acts before he thinks.”
Khaira will be eligible for release after serving five years. He was convicted by a jury of wounding with intent after denying the charge.
Detective Constable Callum Whitehouse, who led the investigation, said: “Khira’s actions that evening were reckless and extremely worrying.
“Fortunately, the victim did not sustain serious injuries however, only by a few millimeters and is likely to have been in a life-threatening condition.
“I hope today’s sentence sends a clear message that violence of any kind will not be tolerated in Southampton and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.”
