Essex robber jailed after stabbing man in the neck in the view of school children
Bodycam footage shows the moment John Garrett was arrested.
A robber has been jailed for stabbing a man in the neck multiple times in broad daylight in the view of schoolchildren.
John Garrett, 55, attacked his victim after stealing two bottles of alcohol from the Shell garage in Tiptree in Essex on 11 July 2023.
He threatened staff in the shop on Maypole Road, and was then approached by a man from a nearby bus stop whom he stabbed three times in the neck, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.
Police bodycam footage showed the moment Garrett was arrested at his home on the day of the attack.
While being restrained by officers, Garrett said: "Come on lads, you know I'm a thief."
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and robbery.
Det Kayleigh Jackson, from Essex Police, said: “This horrendous attack took place in the middle of the day.
"Children leaving the nearby school witnessed this attack and the aftermath as emergency services worked to save a man’s life.
"The sheer number of witnesses that saw this assault with their own eyes left Garrett with no choice other than pleading guilty to GBH with intent.
"While we are sure this was a distressing incident for the community affected and those nearby at the time, we are confident and thankful this was an isolated incident.”
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