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| Balaclava knife attacker jailed | Balaclava knife attacker jailed |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A man who broke into a home wearing a balaclava and attacked three people with a knife is beginning an indefinite jail term. | A man who broke into a home wearing a balaclava and attacked three people with a knife is beginning an indefinite jail term. |
| Karl Thomas stabbed a mother and two sons from Rhos-on-Sea, near Colwyn Bay, as he demanded money off them. | Karl Thomas stabbed a mother and two sons from Rhos-on-Sea, near Colwyn Bay, as he demanded money off them. |
| In the scuffle Thomas' balaclava was removed and scientists matched his DNA to it, Mold Crown Court heard. A victim also picked him out in an ID parade. | In the scuffle Thomas' balaclava was removed and scientists matched his DNA to it, Mold Crown Court heard. A victim also picked him out in an ID parade. |
| Thomas admitted aggravated burglary and three charges of wounding, | Thomas admitted aggravated burglary and three charges of wounding, |
| "You are clearly capable of causing serious harm," Mr Recorder Paul Thomas QC told Thomas. | "You are clearly capable of causing serious harm," Mr Recorder Paul Thomas QC told Thomas. |
| The court heard how in May, Thomas walked into Anthony Downing's flat in Rhos-on-Sea waving the large kitchen knife and demanded cash. | The court heard how in May, Thomas walked into Anthony Downing's flat in Rhos-on-Sea waving the large kitchen knife and demanded cash. |
| It is hard for any of us to imagine the terror they must have felt when you appeared in their living room dressed in black with a balaclava and armed with a large knife Mr Recorder Paul Thomas QC | It is hard for any of us to imagine the terror they must have felt when you appeared in their living room dressed in black with a balaclava and armed with a large knife Mr Recorder Paul Thomas QC |
| Mr Downing said his money was in the flat above, where his parents lived, and was marched upstairs by Thomas at knife point. | Mr Downing said his money was in the flat above, where his parents lived, and was marched upstairs by Thomas at knife point. |
| His parents, Paul and Janet Downing, were watching television when they were confronted by a masked man brandishing a knife at their son, the court heard. | His parents, Paul and Janet Downing, were watching television when they were confronted by a masked man brandishing a knife at their son, the court heard. |
| Prosecuting, Andrew Jebb said that, very much to their credit, the couple jumped up and tried to help their son. | Prosecuting, Andrew Jebb said that, very much to their credit, the couple jumped up and tried to help their son. |
| In the following struggle, Thomas' balaclava was ripped off and three members of the family were stabbed. | In the following struggle, Thomas' balaclava was ripped off and three members of the family were stabbed. |
| Anthony Downing was stabbed in the chest, his mother Janet in the forearm, and Kevin Downing, another son who come to help, in the thigh. | Anthony Downing was stabbed in the chest, his mother Janet in the forearm, and Kevin Downing, another son who come to help, in the thigh. |
| Mr Jebb said the victims had been "extremely frightened" and Anthony Downing was in hospital for two days. | Mr Jebb said the victims had been "extremely frightened" and Anthony Downing was in hospital for two days. |
| Dependent on cocaine | Dependent on cocaine |
| Both his brother and mother needed stitches, he said. | Both his brother and mother needed stitches, he said. |
| Defending, Brian Treadwell said Thomas had been heavily dependent on cocaine, and was spending between £350 and £500 a week on the drug, and he thought there would be money in Anthony Downing's flat. | |
| Thomas had not deliberately used the knife but caused the injuries recklessly when trying to escape, he said. | Thomas had not deliberately used the knife but caused the injuries recklessly when trying to escape, he said. |
| But the judge said they were extremely serious offences which showed an "alarming escalation" in Thomas's criminal behaviour. | But the judge said they were extremely serious offences which showed an "alarming escalation" in Thomas's criminal behaviour. |
| When he was 16-years-old he had broken someone's nose after going into their home and refusing to leave. | When he was 16-years-old he had broken someone's nose after going into their home and refusing to leave. |
| Two years ago he had gone to a former girlfriend's home and kicked her on the floor. | Two years ago he had gone to a former girlfriend's home and kicked her on the floor. |
| He had later returned, forced his way in and attacked her new boyfriend as he slept, breaking his jaw. | He had later returned, forced his way in and attacked her new boyfriend as he slept, breaking his jaw. |
| "It is hard for any of us to imagine the terror they must have felt when you appeared in their living room dressed in black with a balaclava and armed with a large knife," Mr Recorder Paul Thomas QC said. | "It is hard for any of us to imagine the terror they must have felt when you appeared in their living room dressed in black with a balaclava and armed with a large knife," Mr Recorder Paul Thomas QC said. |
| Thomas was told if he had received an ordinary sentence it would be one of five years, and that he would be unable to apply for parole for half that period. | Thomas was told if he had received an ordinary sentence it would be one of five years, and that he would be unable to apply for parole for half that period. |
| But the judge warned him that he would not be released until the authorities considered it was safe to do so, and he would remain on licence for life. | But the judge warned him that he would not be released until the authorities considered it was safe to do so, and he would remain on licence for life. |