Jaidon Mitchell, 22, and Joshua Knight, 23, inflicted "grave injuries" on three men - relatives of each other from East Timor, Asia, who lived and worked in Great Yarmouth - in an "out of the blue" attack in the town's King Street.

King Street, Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Crown Court heard neither Mitchell nor Knight gave any explanation for the apparently motiveless attack when interviewed by police after their arrests.

The first victim, who was dropped off in the area, was immediately punched by Mitchell.

The victim ran off to get help, and when he returned with his brother and brother-in-law the trio encountered both Mitchell and Knight.

The attackers had with them poles but were also armed - Mitchell with a knife and Knights with a broken bottle.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Stephen Spence, prosecuting, said the victims said they feared they might die in the attack which unfolded in the early hours of February 15 2025.

Mr Spence said the attacks were “unprovoked” as well as being “relatively prolonged and persistent”.

He said there were “grave injuries in respect of all three victims”.

Police were alerted after one of the men raised the alarm with his partner who called the emergency services.

Injuries sustained by the three victims included stab wounds to the head and body, including an ear, eye, arms, stomach and leg in the incident.

One of the victims lost part of his ear as a result of the violence while another had part of his stomach exposed from a wound he suffered.

The most seriously hurt sustained a collapsed left lung as well as perforated small bowel and spent a week in hospital.

All three victims said they had been deeply impacted by the traumatic events and the shocking suddenness by which their lives had changed at the hands of two men they had never met.

Mitchell, from Stevenage, appeared at court for sentencing on Wednesday (April 15) after previously admitting two counts of causing GBH with intent and possession of a bladed article.

Joshua Knight (right) and Jaidon Mitchell (left) (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Knight, from Hertfordshire, also appeared in the dock after he admitted one count of causing GBH with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

Recorder Laurence Harris said: "It's frankly a miracle that no-one has died."

He added it was "unsurprising your victims all thought they were going to die" adding that they must have been "absolutely terrified".

Recorder Harris concluded that both defendants were dangerous offenders and passed extended sentences on both.

Mitchell was given an 11-year sentence, made up of nine years custody and two years on licence.

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Knight received an eight and a half-year term, comprising of six-and-a-half years custody and two years licence.

Tim Banks, mitigating for Mitchell, conceded these were "serious offences" but insisted he had pleaded guilty saving the victims from having to attend court.

He said Mitchell had been in drink on the night and that, combined with his mental health difficulties, led to what happened.

Mr Banks said the defendant had expressed "regret and remorse" as to what occurred. 

Pierre-Marie Dievart, for Knight, said the defendant was entitled to credit for his pleas.

He accepted it was a "very serious case" although it seemed full recovery might be possible for the victims. 

Mr Dievart said Knight was and remains a young person who has "expressed remorse" for his actions which he said were "out of character".

Mr Dievart referred the court to a "multitude" of character references from family and friends on behalf of Knight who he said had "undiagnosed ADHD" which had contributed to his offending. 

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Detective Constable Jodie Cameron said: "This was a shocking and completely unprovoked attack which left three men with serious injuries.

"Knife crime has devastating consequences for victims and wider family as we have heard in this case."

© Norwich Evening News