Nine years for stabbing near Probation Centre (From thisisoxfordshire)

Nine years for stabbing near Probation Centre

11:50am Wednesday 10th February 2010

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A MAN praised for his work with young people has been jailed for nine years for stabbing a 52-year-old in the street.

Kenroy Ferguson is well known in East Oxford for his efforts to help organise community events, Oxford Crown Court was told yesterday.

But the court heard Ferguson became involved in drugs and stabbed Marcus Charlett so violently he lost four pints of blood and needed emergency surgery to save his life.

The court was also told Ferguson cut off the hair of Mr Charlett’s girlfriend Samantha George in a crack house as part of a campaign waged against the couple.

The 31-year-old Jamaican, of Bath Place, had been cleared of attempted murder and battery at Oxford Crown Court in December.

But yesterday he was jailed for nine years for wounding with intent, and for six months for assault and 12 months for affray. All the sentences will run concurrently.

Peter du Feu, defending, said: “When my client arrived in Oxford, he became a very well known man in the community and valued for his events and work with younger people.

“However, along the way he admits he became addicted to crack cocaine. I won’t try to paint him as an angel.

“But plunging a knife into this man comes from an almost clear blue sky. He is an intelligent, articulate man capable of much in his life.”

Mr Charlett was left with a 15cm deep wound following the stabbing in Oxford Road, Cowley, in May last year.

Judge Julian Hall said only the great skill of surgeons saved Mr Charlett’s life. He told Ferguson: “Anybody who read the glowing references I have received about you would be absolutely staggered to hear you had been convicted of these offences.”

Judge Hall added that he believed Ferguson still posed a danger to the public because of an element of unpredictability in him.

The judge declined to make a deportation recommendation, although given the seriousness of the crime and length of sentence the Oxford Mail understands it is highly likely Ferguson will be ordered back to Jamaica at the end of his sentence.

Last night, East Oxford filmmaker Gordon Watson said: “A lot of people know Kenroy and know he was a good man.

“Nobody around here can believe he would do this.

“It is very much out of character and it has certainly left a lot of people shocked.

“I know how easy it is to get messed up in drugs and the things that can happen in that world. It is such a shame.”

Det Insp Simon Morton said: “This was a vicious assault and the victim is lucky that his injuries were not fatal.

“The sentence means that this violent man will be taken off Oxford’s streets and sends out a strong message to others that the punishment for knife crime is harsh. “ Det Con Iain Spencer added: “Ferguson led a double life and carried out a campaign of violence and intimidation.

“I hope that Ferguson will now spend his time in prison contemplating the wrongs he has committed.”

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