'Knife attack was revenge' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'Knife attack was revenge'

ROBERT Karanja launched a violent revenge attack on a group of revellers, a court has heard.

The 26-year-old of St Mary's Grove denies stabbing Stacey Deacon and Martin Croke and punching Victoria Pike.

At the first day of the trial at Bristol Crown Court, the jury heard that Karanja hunted for the group of partygoers after being beaten by them.

The attack happened at about 3.15am on Tuesday, November 9, outside Swindon railway station.

Miss Deacon, 23, was rushed to the Great Western Hospital after being stabbed twice just under the ribs. She needed surgery to repair internal injuries.

Mr Croke, 25, also needed surgery after his arm was slashed by the knife.

Karanja, who speaks little English, sat next to his translator in the dock.

He is charged with assault by beating, attempted murder and two counts of wounding with intent.

Prosecuting, Andrew Langdon said that Karanja first came into contact with Miss Deacon, Mr Croke, Miss Pike and two more friends at Angelo's Nightclub. Inside the club Miss Pike admits she swore at him.

Later the group began to make their way home from the Fleet Street club in a taxi. Miss Deacon began her journey separately.

"All those involved had been drinking," said Mr Langdon.

He added: "The group got out of the taxi near the Whitehouse Road Bridge.

"Not long after this Mr Karanja comes past the bridge, also in a taxi, sees the group and asks the taxi to stop.

"Mr Karanja said he wanted to relieve himself but the prosecution say he wanted to stop because he'd seen the group who he'd had some earlier unpleasantness with.

"The taxi driver saw Mr Karanja run toward the group.

"But then he began walking backwards and was punched and kicked by the group. There was also racist abuse hurled at Mr Karanja."

Mr Langdon added: "Mr Karanja was extremely angry and vengeful when he got back in the car and he told the taxi driver, Mr Bear, that he wanted to kill someone."

The prosecution say that Karanja ordered the taxi driver to take him home where he collected a knife from his kitchen.

They say Karanja then ordered the taxi to drive around Penhill looking for the group and later asked to be taken to the station.

The group were there waiting for a taxi and were reunited with Miss Deacon.

After about five minutes Karanja got out the taxi, punched Miss Pike, and then stabbed his next two victims, the court heard.

"It is ironic that Stacey Deacon received the most serious injuries because she played no part in the attack on him at the bridge," said Mr Langdon.

He added: "Many people say in anger they want to kill someone but how many people plunge a knife in someone twice?"

"The blade went in nearly the full length of the blade," he added.

Mr Langdon showed the knife to the 12 jury members.

Karanja says the injuries to the group were accidental or caused in self defence.

The case continues.

Lyndsay Scanlan