Two men have been jailed for four-and-a-half years each at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 30 May following a stabbing in Gosport last year.

Officers were called at 5.20pm on Monday 16 September to reports that a 21-year-old man had been stabbed in an alleyway near Thornbrake Road.

The victim had sought refuge at a friends address and was taken to hospital.

Enquiries established that the victim had been confronted by two men in the alleyway. One had held a knife to his throat and then stabbed him in the abdomen, the other had smashed a bottle over his head. As the suspects left the scene they shouted to a witness “It’s nothing personal love”.

The victim has since made a full recovery.

Following a thorough investigation 23-year-old Marc Bache, of Brockhurst Road in Gosport was arrested and charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He admitted both offences on 29 October 2024.

Andrew Lewis, 34, of South Street in Gosport later also admitted wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Both were jailed at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 30 May 2025.

District Commander for Gosport, Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy said: “Our message to criminals in Gosport around serious violence and other criminality has been simple – ‘not in our town’. We work closely with our partner agencies and the community to address these issues and I’m pleased that this court result underlines our commitment that we will not tolerate knife crime or serious violence in Gosport. I hope the significant sentences both individuals will now have to serve will help the victim to move forward safe in the knowledge that both men are in prison.

“There are serious consequences for everyone involved in crimes like this, whether you are a victim or you have chosen to carry a knife. A key focus of our work is prevention, and during the recent Operation Sceptre week of action, officers ran community engagement events, including in schools, community centres and youth clubs, to provide further education on the risks and consequences that come with choosing to carry a knife.

“We continuously work with partners to manage individuals at risk of reoffending, identifying those who have been involved with knife-related offences and providing opportunities for engagement and diversion, pursuing prosecution and enforcement when appropriate”.