Two young men who left a married father fighting for his life after an unprovoked stabbing in Sutton-in-Ashfield have been locked up.

Nottinghamshire Police were called to a restaurant on Outram Street in Sutton in Ashfield following the attack in October last year. The victim, one diner in his 30s suffered a single stab wound to the abdomen and was rushed to the hospital where he underwent multiple life-saving surgeries.

The attack was unprovoked and happened while one of the defendants was celebrating his 18th birthday. The incident took place around 11 pm on October 29. The court heard that the victim and a friend had been vaping outside the restaurant between courses before being approached by Crossland and Winkworth.

Words were exchanged when the younger defendant insulted the two diners. One replied by saying “Leave it, we’re not looking for trouble” and the two friends went back into the restaurant. Shortly afterwards, Crossland and Winkworth entered the porchway of the restaurant and one of the friends went over to them to repeat they didn’t want any trouble.

He was then stabbed by the older defendant, Winkworth, who then fled with Crossland and a third person who was not charged with any criminal act.

Detectives used CCTV and mobile phone evidence to find and charge 21-year-old Luke Winkworth and Lewis Crossland, aged 18, in connection with the stabbing. The pair were subsequently arrested and put before the courts.

The pair appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, May 12 having entered two guilty pleas at a previous hearing.

Luke Winkworth, of North Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was jailed for seven years and six months after admitting to wounding with intent and possessing a knife in a public place. Winkworth was also sentenced for a string of unrelated driving offences, including dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance after he was stopped by police on July 6 last year.

For these offences, he was banned from driving for five years and nine months.

Lewis Crossland, of Welbeck Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was sent to a youth offender’s institution for five years after admitting to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a knife in a public place and possessing cannabis.

Detective Sergeant Matt Scott, who oversaw the investigation, said: “This was an utterly shocking and unprovoked attack on a family man who was simply enjoying a meal with a friend.

“Having been approached by Crossland and Winkworth in the street, the victim and his friend commendably went back into the restaurant as they did not wish to engage in any sort of violent disorder. Crossland and Winkworth, on the other hand, were clearly looking for trouble and so entered the restaurant, where they subjected the victim to a sickening assault that almost cost him his life.

“The attack meant he spent many weeks in hospital and his wife and children were told he might not survive.

“This has had the most unimaginable impact on the victim and his family, as well as the victim’s friend who witnessed the stabbing. Needless to say, I am very pleased to see both Crossland and Winkworth face justice for their actions that night.

He added: “They are exceptionally lucky this was not a murder case and I hope they both reflect hard on their actions.”

“I also hope these convictions provide some comfort to the victim and his family, whilst reassuring people that Nottinghamshire Police takes violent crime extremely seriously and will always strive to put offenders before the courts.”