Cannock man jailed for 12 years for brutal attack on nephew
A man who repeatedly stabbed his nephew in the stomach and left him with life-changing injuries has been jailed for more than 12 years.
Robert Gearing, aged 39, was sentenced for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following an attack on Craig Pitts in Cannock last September.
Stafford Crown Court heard officers were called to a property in Danby Drive on September 19.
Mr Pitts, who is 24, had been at Gearing’s house to help him clean it over the weekend of September 16 and 17.
The court heard Gearing had been drinking alcohol following the weekend and had become abusive.
Mr Pitts had locked himself in a bathroom to make a phone call where he said Gearing was ‘out of his face’ and smashing the bungalow up.
When the first officer arrived at the scene he found Mr Pitts lying on the floor with extensive wounds to his stomach.
After arresting Gearing, the officer seized a blue-handled knife with blood on the blade.
Mr Pitts suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the wounding and, such was the seriousness of his condition, that Gearing was initially arrested for attempted murder.
The victim is still struggling as a result of his injuries AND continues to receive hospital treatment and suffers with some lack of movement in his arm.
Gearing pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Friday to 12 and a half years.
Chief Inspector Sarah Wainwright, from the Cannock Chase District Local Policing Team, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the family and local community and we’re glad that Robert Gearing has now been sentenced for his actions.
“Although Mr Pitts suffered terrible injuries it was the speedy response from police officers and colleagues in the ambulance service that may well have saved his life.”
