Man jailed for stabbing victim during attempted robbery (From Croydon Guardian)

Crystal Palace man jailed for stabbing during attempted robbery

7:50am Friday 10th February 2012 in Local news By Hannah Williamson

Chakat Ismail was jailed for six years

A man has been jailed for six years for a violent attempted robbery where he stabbed the victim.

Chakat Ismail, of Sylvan Hill, Crystal Palace, was sentenced after being found guilty of assault with intent to rob.

Croydon Crown Court heard the incident took place on July, 18 last year in Beulah Heights Park, Upper Norwood.

The victim, a 42-year-old man was using his laptop in the park.

Ismail walked past the man twice, before confronting him shortly after he packed his computer away and was leaving the park.

Ismail, 20, tried to grab the bag and a struggle ensued during which Ismail pulled a knife and stabbed the victim three times in the chest.

The victim was taken to hospital where his wounds were glued together.

Ismail left the park after failing to get hold of the laptop and bag, but police were called and quickly arrived to carry out a search of the area.

They stopped Ismail who matched a description given to them and arrested him.

He denied any involvement in the incident, but was later picked out of an ID parade.

Although the knife used during the assault has never been recovered, Ismail was also sentenced to two years for possession of an offensive weapon. Both sentences will run concurrently.

DC Hayley Kennedy, from Croydon CID, who investigated the case: "This was a violent assault, which could so easily have left the victim with extremely serious injuries- thankfully the victim was able to walk away from the incident without major injury.

"The offender thought nothing of pulling the knife- all to try and steal a laptop computer- and even though he was arrested near the scene and picked out in a line-up continued to deny his involvement.

"The sentence will ensure he spends a long time behind bars."