A 26-YEAR-OLD man from Charfield has been sentenced to 35 months in prison today for his part in a series of stabbings outside nightclubs in Bristol.

Jamie Ivers was sentenced in Bristol Crown Court for one count of causing Actual Bodily Harm, one count of dangerous driving and one count of theft, while his co-defendant Louis Holmes, 18, of no fixed address was given an extended sentence of 15 years.

Holmes admitted to stabbing five young men in the early hours of August 21, 2016, leaving one of them with life-changing injuries, as well as a separate charge of possessing prohibited items in prison, including a knife, mobile phone and drugs.

He will serve 10 years in prison and then an additional five years on licence due to him being termed as a dangerous offender. 

Holmes stabbed the first victim, a 24-year-old man, three times while inside the Pryzm nightclub on Bristol Harbourside. The other four victims were stabbed outside the Dojo Lounge nightclub in Park Row in an unconnected incident.

Ivers helped Holmes by driving him away from the Dojo Lounge towards Clifton, narrowly missing pedestrians at a set of traffic lights on the way.

The assault charge related to him punching a taxi driver while the pair tried to escape police.

One of the victims - 23-year-old Dan Curtis – was stabbed in the neck leaving him paralysed from the neck down and confining him to a wheelchair.

DI Jane Wigmore, of Bristol Investigations, said: “Louis Holmes went on a spree of violence and destruction that night which left five men with stab injuries.

“Jamie Ivers helped Holmes by driving him from away from the Dojo Lounge towards Clifton in a dangerous manner, narrowly missing pedestrians at a set of traffic lights on the way.

“The assault charge relates to Ivers punching a taxi driver in the face as part of their bid to escape the police.

“When Holmes was arrested he was found in possession of a blue lock knife which was forensically linked to three of the victims. Blood found on Holmes’ coat linked him to one of the other victims.

“The silver Mini used in this incident was later set alight in Chelsea Park, Easton, causing damage to other cars parked nearby and surrounding properties. No-one has been charged in connection with this.

“I’d like to thank all of the victims for helping our investigation team piece together the events of that night and for their ongoing support despite their own individual ordeals. I’d also like to praise the members of the public who helped at the scene of the incidents, especially the person who gave first aid to Dan Curtis.

“Dan will never fully recover from the injuries he suffered and is now confined to a wheelchair. His courage and strength of character has been an inspiration to all of us.

“The investigation team have gone above and beyond the call of duty, working around-the-clock to secure justice for the victims. I’d like to publically thank every officer and staff member who contributed to this complex investigation.

“Holmes went out armed with a knife that evening and the trail of violence he embarked on as a result of carrying that weapon is horrifying. At the age of 18 he has already thrown his life away as a direct result of his actions that night.

“There are still too many young people willing to carry knives and as a Force we are committed to continue educating on the dangers of carrying weapons and the true impact of knife crime on individuals, families and communities.”