‘Take me away, I’m going to jail’: Harrogate man jailed after stabbing 18-year-old during violent altercation

Alexander Decker, 30, of Chatsworth Grove in Harrogate, pleaded guilty to multiple offences including Section 18 grievous bodily harm, Section 47 assault, possession of a bladed weapon in a public place, and threatening a person with a bladed article.

Decker was handed a custodial sentence of eight and a half years at York Crown Court on Wednesday, January 28.

The charges relate to a violent incident that occurred on Monday 1 December 2025 in Harrogate, when a 18‑year‑old man was stabbed.

Police were called at 2.15am to reports of a disturbance at a property on Chatsworth Gove.

Within eight minutes, officers arrived at the scene, where Decker approached them and said: “Take me away, I’m going to jail.”

He was immediately arrested.

Inside the flat, officers found a large kitchen knife and blood at the rear of the property.

Enquiries established that an altercation had broken out between Decker and three others.

When the victim attempted to intervene, Decker threw boiling water at his face before producing a knife from his trousers and stabbing him twice.

The victim sustained two lacerations and first‑degree burns.

Detective Constable Thomas Bowman, from Harrogate CID, said: “This was an appalling act of violence that left the victim with serious injuries.

"Thanks to the swift response of officers, bravery of witnesses and victims, we were able to secure vital evidence and bring the offender to justice.

“There is absolutely no excuse for using a knife to commit violence.

"Sadly, this case highlights once again the devastating impact knife crime can have.

“Although incidents like this are thankfully rare in North Yorkshire, we continue to see the consequences of knife crime across the country.

"As a force, we remain committed to working with our partners to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife.”