An 18-year-old man has been jailed for four years for stabbing a man who intervened in a kidnap, leaving the victim on life support. Lewie Wilson, from Epping, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on September 11 after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Attack in Harlow
The incident occurred in January 2025 in Harlow, Essex. Wilson and Riley Dedman, both 16 at the time, approached two teenage boys near the corner of Cross Street and Broad Walk. Wilson attacked one of the boys, who fled, before he and David Dutton, then 17, marched off the other 17-year-old victim. The victim was bundled into a car.
Later that day, when the car stopped, a man in his 30s stepped in to help the victim. Wilson stabbed the man in the arm, torso, chest, and abdomen, causing life-threatening injuries. Paramedics saved the man at the scene. Wilson and Dutton fled.
Police and court response
Detective Alana McCreath said: “These serious and violent crimes resulted in a man fighting for his life. It is thanks to the quick and vital work of our ambulance colleagues and hospital staff at PAH and Addenbrokes that this was not a murder trial.”
McCreath added: “The mental effect on the teenage victim – being kidnapped and witnessing a stabbing – and his family was also significant. These three spent days after the assault actively hiding from police, and now they have had to face justice in our courts.”
Sentences handed down
All three were arrested and charged but could not be named at the time due to their age. Wilson initially denied the kidnap, despite referring to the teenager as a ‘hostage’ in the car, but later pleaded guilty to kidnap and battery. Dedman and Dutton were found guilty of kidnap after a month-long trial at Chelmsford Crown Court from June 22 to July 22.
At sentencing on September 11, Dutton received a total of eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 70 hours of unpaid work. Dedman was given a seven-month community order and must also complete 70 hours of unpaid work. Wilson received the longest sentence of four years in prison.
