A pub brawl left one man stabbed, another jailed, and a teen facing a life sentence; one suspect is on the run.
Bennett could face a life sentence, as he has a history of violence, even at 19. Cleaver ran away before his sentencing and is still missing.
The incident occurred at the Fox and Goose pub on October 18th of last year. Reece Ashall was talking to Cleaver at the bar around 11:30 pm.
Cleaver suddenly punched Ashall in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. Cleaver continued to kick and push Ashall. Bennett then stabbed Ashall in the back with a knife.
Jamie Turner tried to stop Bennett and pulled Cleaver away from Ashall. Turner then got involved himself, acting aggressively toward the door staff who were trying to stop the fight.
The fight began near a punching machine and moved to the dance floor. Ashall realized he was stabbed in the restroom. A friend quickly drove him to the hospital.
Ashall stayed in the hospital for six days and needed three blood transfusions. He also needed a chest drain. He remembered Cleaver asking “what his problem was” before attacking him.
Bennett previously got 15 months for wounding when he was 15 years old. He also received 12 months for assault when he was 14.
He later got 16 months for a prison fight where he repeatedly punched another inmate. He also stabbed him with a pen weapon at the time when Bennett was 16.
Cleaver has nine prior convictions, including battery and public disorder. He got six months for assault in 2016 and 81 months for wounding with Turner.
In March of last year, they fined him after he used threatening behavior in a bar. He and two others started a fight that seemed to happen for no reason.
Turner has nine convictions as well. He served nine years for assault with Cleaver. He was on license for that crime, and the pub brawl broke his license.
Suzanne Payne defended Turner in court, claiming Turner did not cause the stabbing. The video showed Turner trying to pull Bennett away.
She said Turner was defending his brother when a bouncer got involved. He lost everything because of this, including his job and access to his kids.
Bennett admitted to wounding with intent. Cleaver and Turner admitted affray. A warrant went out for Cleaver’s arrest after he did not show up to court that day.
Paul Wood represented Cleaver. He said Cleaver likely ran away because he knew he would go to prison and has relevant past convictions.
Cleaver got 14 months in prison while absent. Turner received eight months in jail too. Judge Cummings said Cleaver started the fight, which sparked the serious incident.
The judge noted Cleaver’s record was an issue, emphasizing that he was not charging Cleaver with skipping bail, as this will be dealt with later upon arrest.
Turning to Turner, the judge said he attempted to stop Bennett and pull Cleaver away. However, he then joined the fight himself.
The judge acknowledged Turner’s good intentions, but his contribution made things worse. Turner’s record was again an obstacle, and they have already held him for four months.
Cleaver also got a three-year restraining order. Bennett’s sentencing will happen in April. They ordered a psychiatric report for him.
Judge Cummings said Bennett could get life, needing to get all the facts before deciding. This is especially important for a young person.