A MAN who stabbed a stranger as he stood outside his own home in Cardiff has been sentenced after being classed by the court as a dangerous offender.
Walter Kanhukamwe, aged 24, launched the attack in the early hours of June 9 last year after watching his victim from nearby for around 30 minutes.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Karl Watkins had been standing on his doorstep at about 1:30am, flying a drone as a hobby, when Kanhukamwe approached him without warning.
The defendant opened the garden gate, went up the steps and stabbed Mr Watkins in the chest with a kitchen knife. The injury was not serious but did break the skin. Kanhukamwe then dropped the knife and ran off.
The court was told Kanhukamwe, of Heol Muston, Ely, was on immigration bail at the time of the offence. He has 11 previous convictions, including offences involving weapons and animal cruelty.
He was convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He had already admitted possessing a bladed article.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Laurence Jones, Mr Watkins described the lasting psychological impact of the attack.
He said he had become constantly on edge since the stabbing, struggled to sleep, and had stopped going out socially. He also said he no longer felt able to enjoy flying his drone and was living in fear of being attacked again.
Defending, David Pinnell said Kanhukamwe was still young and immature, and told the court he had experienced mental health difficulties.
Sentencing, Recorder Greg Bull KC said the defendant had caused significant psychological harm to Mr Watkins and noted that he had not pleaded guilty to the more serious charge.
Kanhukamwe was sentenced to six years in prison, with an extended licence period of three years.
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