Jealous thug's appeal fails over frenzied takeaway stabbing attack

Wayne Anthony Baines, 24, inflicted multiple wounds to the neck and body of his ex’s new lover during an attack in front of horrified bystanders in the American Chicken and Pizza takeaway on Market Street, Chorley.

Baines, formerly of Tulketh Road, Ashton, Preston, was convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and attempted intimidation at Preston Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order and was put behind bars in November last year.

He was ordered to serve five extra years on licence following his release after the judge condemned him as “dangerous”.

Today top judges at London’s Criminal Appeal Court heard him argue that assessment was wrong and his sentence too harsh.

Lord Justice Hamblen, Mr Justice King and Judge John Bevan QC heard Baines was “recently released from prison” when he launched the attack with a kitchen knife.

He even “boasted about it”, but later denied before the jury that he was the knifeman.

Baines, the court heard, has a bad previous record for “threatening violence or using it”.

But he argued that the judge who jailed him had given “undue weight” to his lack of remorse and was wrong to dub him a danger.

Ten years’ jail was in any case too long for what he had done, he insisted.

But Judge Bevan concluded: “The judge was entitled to find him dangerous and to choose the starting point he did.

“He went out armed with a knife, knowing he might meet the victim. He had a long history of being prepared to threaten violence, or to use it.

“He was content to use a knife in public against any person against whom he had a grudge.

“This sentence was not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle.

“There is no reason for us to interfere and this application is refused.”

Notorious Baines, who has appeared in a TV series about ASBOs, stabbed his victim – the new flame of Baines’ ex girlfriend – in the head, neck and thighs, causing massive blood loss. He was found guilty of inlicting grievous bodily harm, harassment of his ex-partner, and breaching a restraining order.

Judge Stuart Baker, sentencing at Preston Crown Court,praised the have-a-go hero who risked his life to stop the savage attack.

British Car Auctions worker Joshua Garvey, 23, jumped on Baines twice to stop the frenzied attack.

Following the sentencing, Mr Garvey, who had only recently returned to his hometown after living in Scotland, said: “It’s a significant sentence and I think it sends out the right message about violent crime.

“The man could have died. “It’s a relief the court case is over and that I don’t have to worry anymore.”

DC Michelle Thompson, of South CID, said: “Had it not been for the actions of Josh Garvey, this could have been a very different kind of investigation.

“I’m glad the judge has recognised his courage. Everyone in our team is delighted at the sentence.

Baines is clearly a dangerous individual and has been taken of the streets for a number of years. “We wanted a good result for the victim and think it sends out a positive message that actions of this nature will not be tolerated.”

Baines was on the run for more than a week after the incident and was found by officers enjoying a night out in Preston with friends. After the attack he had sent Facebook messages to his ex, boasting about the attack. He is notorious in Chorley having been slapped with an ASBO at 12, and being convicted of robbing three children at gunpoint in a park, aged 15.