The victim of the attack was left fighting for his life
The victim of the attack was left fighting for his life
A man was left fighting for his life after a random attack by two teenagers in the street. In the early hours of March 9, Ramaray Treasure, 18, and Leon Sykes, 19, chased a graduate student down West Street, Sheffield, then repeatedly stabbed him.
The attack only stopped when a brave member of the public stepped in to help the victim, reports Yorkshire Live. Both Treasure, of Tansley Street in Sheffield, and Sykes, of Victoria Street in Stocksbridge, then ran from the scene, but were tracked down by CCTV operators.
They were caught on camera laughing as they walked along Division Street in the direction of Pound’s Park, where they were confronted by police who had been directed to the area. Treasure tossed a knife into the air in an attempt to throw it over a nearby wall while Sykes backed away with his hands behind his back. Two knives were later recovered.
Treasure and Sykes gave no comment to all questions asked during their police interviews. They went on to plead guilty to attempted murder and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
On Friday at Sheffield Crown Court Treasure was jailed for 12 years and Sykes for 13 years and eight months. In a statement, the victim described how he still lives in pain following the attack, and suffers from anxiety and depressive episodes.
He said the attack has also affected his professional life, as it happened just six months after he finished a masters degree and has put a halt on his career.
Detective Constable Gareth Rees, the officer in charge of the case for South Yorkshire Police, said: “Treasure and Sykes launched an horrendous and random attack on a victim who they chased through a busy city centre street and stabbed multiple times in full view of passersby and a businessman operating a food truck.
“The attack was interrupted by an incredibly brave member of the public who rushed to the man’s aid. The victim suffered extremely serious injuries which were initially considered to be life-threatening, and he is still dealing with the effects of the attack to this day.
“Treasure and Sykes were tracked as they made their way through Sheffield. At one point, they were seen laughing between themselves. That laughter soon stopped as they were greeted by our officers at Pound’s Park.
“Thanks to the mountain of CCTV evidence we had attained, both men had no choice but to plead guilty to attempted murder. I am pleased with the sentence handed down today, and would like to thank the victim for his bravery throughout proceedings.
“I hope today’s sentence provides some sort of closure, and that he can now begin to move on from his horrific ordeal.”
