Two men have been jailed after they stabbed a man in a ‘dangerous, violent and potentially fatal premeditated attack’.
Laurentiu Ardeleanu, 23, and Gheorghita Zamacali, 27, went to great efforts to plan the assault, York Crown Court heard.
Police were called to reports of a disturbance in a block of flats on West Park Terrace in Scarborough on Saturday, 25 January last year.
On arrival at the scene, officers found the victim, a 30-year-old man, covered in blood from a stab wound to his chest and a laceration on his head.
The officers administered first aid before the victim was taken to hospital by ambulance. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, he was immediately transferred to another hospital via helicopter.
Police investigations showed that Zamacali and Ardeleanu were working in partnership. They arrived together as a planned attack and both planned an active part in the assault.
After stabbing the victim, the defendants they then assaulted him – only stopping when police sirens were heard.
CCTV footage showed Zamacali and Ardeleanu quickly walking away from the scene of the assault.
The pair, both Romanian nationals, fled the UK within hours of the attack.
Ardeleanu and Zamacali were arrested in Kent on 8 February as they returned to the UK via Euro Tunnel.
Both defendants initially denied their involvement, and lied during police interviews saying they found the victim already injured.
They have now admitted the offences, and were sentenced at York Crown Court today (Thursday).
Ardeleanu, of Blands Cliff, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to wounding and was jailed for two and a half years.
Gheorghita Zamacali, from Vine Street, Scarborough, also originally from Romania, changed his plea to guilty and admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He has been jailed for five years.
‘Extremely high level of violence’
DC Benjamin Holtby from Scarborough CID said: “This was a dangerous, violent and potentially fatal premeditated attack where the defendants not only arranged the assault, they also had a plan to flee and avoid being held responsible for their actions.
“Throughout the investigation, we discovered a great deal of planning went into this resulting in an extremely high level of violence carried out by both Zamacali and Ardeleanu.
“This attack not only caused significant physical injury, but also a psychological impact to the victim as well.
“He is very lucky to have not suffered more serious, long-lasting physical injury, and he is thankful for the initial attending officers for the medical aid they provided.
“Praise must be given to the victim for attending court to pursue justice against his attackers. I hope this sentence offers some form of closure for him, and he can try and move forward.
“Our thanks also go to the witnesses who have supported police in the investigation, allowing for justice to be served.”
