STABBED BECAUSE HE SAID 'GOOD MORNING'
Guard knifed by stranger
By Aidan McGurran
A MAN was beaten up and stabbed for saying "good morning" to a passer-by.
David Harwood, 59, was repeatedly punched in the face then attacked with a 9in knife by Michael Johnson, 20.
Mr Harwood had two black eyes and needed three stitches to a 3in cut in his head. Doctors fear one eye could be permanently damaged.
He had to take several weeks off work because of headaches and mood swings.
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Now Johnson is beginning two years in a young offenders institution after admitting causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.
Deputy High Court judge Sir John Blofeld said it was a terrifying ordeal for his victim.
He added: "There he was minding his own business, being polite enough to say 'good morning'. You attacked him, causing injury for no reason.
"You go away and come back again with a nasty knife and then attack him with it. You clearly lost your temper."
Mr Harwood, a security guard for an oil firm, was off to work in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, when he greeted Johnson, prosecutor Matthew McNiff told Norwich crown court.
He heard Johnson shout: "What's the matter with you? Do you want a fight?" and was repeatedly punched.
Johnson ran into a house but as Mr Harwood headed home to get help he reappeared with the knife, said Mr McNiff.
There was another struggle and Mr Harwood managed to disarm him but was injured.
John Morgans, defending Johnson, said he could not remember what happened.
He added: "He is thoroughly remorseful. He wants to apologise to his victim.
"There is no reason, no explanation at all for a man of previous good character to offend as he did."
Mr Harwood said later: "I just said 'good morning' as I always do. Most people smile back at me because they feel cheered up at the start of the day.
"What happened was terrible but it has not put me off saying hello to people."
Guard knifed by stranger
By Aidan McGurran
A MAN was beaten up and stabbed for saying "good morning" to a passer-by.
David Harwood, 59, was repeatedly punched in the face then attacked with a 9in knife by Michael Johnson, 20.
Mr Harwood had two black eyes and needed three stitches to a 3in cut in his head. Doctors fear one eye could be permanently damaged.
He had to take several weeks off work because of headaches and mood swings.
Advertisement
Now Johnson is beginning two years in a young offenders institution after admitting causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.
Deputy High Court judge Sir John Blofeld said it was a terrifying ordeal for his victim.
He added: "There he was minding his own business, being polite enough to say 'good morning'. You attacked him, causing injury for no reason.
"You go away and come back again with a nasty knife and then attack him with it. You clearly lost your temper."
Mr Harwood, a security guard for an oil firm, was off to work in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, when he greeted Johnson, prosecutor Matthew McNiff told Norwich crown court.
He heard Johnson shout: "What's the matter with you? Do you want a fight?" and was repeatedly punched.
Johnson ran into a house but as Mr Harwood headed home to get help he reappeared with the knife, said Mr McNiff.
There was another struggle and Mr Harwood managed to disarm him but was injured.
John Morgans, defending Johnson, said he could not remember what happened.
He added: "He is thoroughly remorseful. He wants to apologise to his victim.
"There is no reason, no explanation at all for a man of previous good character to offend as he did."
Mr Harwood said later: "I just said 'good morning' as I always do. Most people smile back at me because they feel cheered up at the start of the day.
"What happened was terrible but it has not put me off saying hello to people."
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