Colchester man stabbed men with boxcutter knife, court heard

Adefolahan Oriade, 29, appeared in Chelmsford Crown Court via video link from HMP Chelmsford on Friday after admitting two charges of GBH with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Prosecutor Hannah Gladwell said the offences took place in July last year at a pub in London.

The court heard Oriade was asked to leave after making a female employee uncomfortable and “became violent” when he reached the exit, punching and kicking two men who had come to remove him.

Ms Gladwell said: “In his pocket was a box cutter knife.

“He stabbed [a man] in the chest.

“The defendant then lunged towards [another man…] and struck him in the side of the chest.”

Knife - The court heard Oriade had stabbed the two men with a small knife like a 'boxcutter knife' (Image: Web)

Both men received medical treatment but did not have serious injuries.

Oriade has three convictions for 13 previous offences, which Dan Santos-Costa, mitigating, told the court was a “flurry of offending” amid struggles with his mental health, including psychotic episodes.

The court heard Oriade had been studying a computer science degree when he was forced to drop out due to his mental health and completed the degree after hospital and medication support.

Mr Santos-Costa said: “Unfortunately, in 2025 there was relapse. Mr Oriade wasn’t taking his medication at the time and that led to further violent offending.”

He added Oriade had worked as a support worker for many years from the age of 18 and that his significant involvement with the church spoke for his character.

Mr Santos-Costa also said Oriade had support from his family and wished to return to work relating to his computer science degree.

Health - The court heard Oriade suffers from psychotic episodes and had not taken his medication at the time of the offences (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Recorder Robert Dedman said it was “absolutely sheer luck” the victims’ injuries had not been more serious and acknowledged Oriade’s psychotic episodes.

Oriade, of Chinook, Colchester, was sentenced to 20 months’ custody suspended for one year, to run concurrently with a 12 month sentence for the second charge of GBH and a three month sentence for possession of a bladed article.

He was also banned from the pub for two years and must complete 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days within the next 18 months.

Victim surcharge costs will be drawn up, but he was not ordered to pay further costs due to being out of work and in custody for the past six months.