A Soham man has been jailed for five years for carrying out an unprovoked and random stabbing at a filling station.

Edward Parker, 49, stabbed a 34-year-old man at the BP station, in Fordham Road, Soham, on September 4, last year.

The victim, a delivery driver, was in the shop area looking at sandwiches in the chiller when Parker approached and, without warning or provocation, stabbed him in the right side of his abdomen with a large knife.

DC Peter Ware said: “Parker was a complete stranger to the victim so he would have had no warning at all of what he was about to do.

“It was a terrifying attack and it’s only luck that the injury was not more serious or even fatal.

“The incident also caused a great deal of distress to several witnesses and no doubt lots of concern among local people.

“The sentence given reflects the severity of the offence and the public will be safer with Parker behind bars.”

His victim suffered a 4cm-deep wound which required surgery. He has since fully recovered.

Parker, of Orchard Row, Soham, was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on May 7 following a trial at King’s Lynn Crown Court.

Yesterday (Tuesday 21) at Norwich Crown Court he was jailed for five years, after which he will serve a period of five years on licence.

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