Brighouse firm employee stabbed his manager he blamed for losing his job of 30 years

A sacked employee who knifed his works manager after he lost his job of 30 years has been jailed for 40 months.
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Bradford Crown Court heard that Ian Noble’s job at Booth Wire Products in Brighouse was “ a large part his life” and he believed that Stuart Syme had been instrumental in him being dismissed in January.

On the morning of February 4 Noble, who had no previous convictions, went back to the Springvale Works site and threw a brick through the office window hitting Mr Syme on the arm.

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A few hours later Noble turned up again and when Mr Syme opened the door to him he asked about getting a reference.

Ian Noble has been jailed for 40 monthsIan Noble has been jailed for 40 months
Ian Noble has been jailed for 40 months

Prosecutor Ian Brook said the complainant asked Noble about the brick-throwing incident, but the defendant then lunged towards him.

“The complainant didn’t see he had a knife initially but he instinctively grabbed at it and pulled it away,” said Mr Brook.

“The defendant turned and walked away through the car park and the knife he had with him was on the floor.

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“The complainant picked it up and then realised the defendant had stabbed him in his stomach.”

Colleagues called 999 and began administering first aid and Mr Syme had the three-centimetre deep puncture wound cleaned and sutured in hospital.

Mr Brook said Noble, who had returned to his home in Barber Street, Brighouse, had used a kitchen paring knife in the attack and when police turned up to arrest him he said:”I know why you’re here.”

Noble said it had been “a moment of madness” at a time when he was not sleeping well and suffering from depression.

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Mr Brook said Noble appeared to despise Mr Syme and he admitted having feelings of animosity towards him.

The court heard that Noble had been sacked for gross misconduct and his mental health had been affected following his dismissal.

“He blamed the complainant for the entire episode,” said Mr Brook.

Noble suggested that he had only taken the knife to frighten the complainant and said he was sorry about the stabbing.

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Barrister Abdul Shakoor, for Noble, said his mental health had improved significantly since the offence.

“He had been a loyal employee of Booth Wire Products for three decades,” said Mr Shakoor.

“That was in effect his life. A large part of his life.”

Mr Shakoor said Noble perceived that he was being isolated at work and ultimately he was dismissed.

“He feels that his medication for a hernia had an impact on his mental health at the time,” said Mr Shakoor.

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“He indicated in his police interview that he regrets his actions and wishes to apologise to the complainant and all those who were affected by what he did.

“He totally wishes he didn’t do what he did on that morning of madness.”

Noble admitted charges of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon, assault and criminal damage and Judge Jonathan Gibson sentenced him to a total of 40 months in prison.

The judge accepted that it had been a single blow with the knife and there was some evidence that Noble was adversely affected by his mental health condition at the time.

“You demonstrated remorse on the day and have done since. This was therefore an isolated incident,” said the judge.