A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to six years imprisonment for seriously assaulting another man in Portsmouth.

Just after midnight on Sunday 29 June 2025, an officer was driving along Victoria Road North when she was flagged down by a man who was holding up a second man, who appeared to be injured.

The man told the officer that the other man had been stabbed at an address on the same road.

The officer began administering first aid and a third man was seen to run out of a nearby address. The officer was unable to give chase, as she was administering first aid, and the man fled from the area.

A 42-year-old man was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment for a stab wound to his chest. He was later discharged and an investigation was launched.

Following police enquiries, it was established that the men had been at a birthday celebration at the address when an argument had escalated and one man had stabbed another.

Musa Farah, 24, of Stubbington Avenue in Portsmouth, was arrested and charged with the assault, appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on 17 December 2025, where he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm.

He appeared again at the same court on Thursday 19 March, where he was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Luke Kedge, of the Eastern Criminal Investigation Department said, “This was an appalling act of violence, which could have cost a man his life, and I am pleased to see Farah face justice and be put behind bars for his actions.

“I would like to thank the officer who initially responded to this incident, who acted quickly to administer first aid. Her swift actions, and those of our colleagues from the ambulance service, likely saved the victim’s life.

“We will not tolerate knife crime and violent behaviour in Portsmouth, and anyone found to have been involved in offending of this nature will be pursued and brought before the courts.

“I hope this sentence sends a strong message to anyone who chooses to carry a knife or engage in violence of this nature in our City that we will not accept this behaviour. Your actions may have devastating consequences for others, as well as for yourself. I would strongly encourage anyone considering carrying a knife to think about their choices, before they make a serious mistake that they can’t undo.”