An assailant viciously stabbed a Costa Coffee employee in the head twelve times following the denial of a vape charger

05 April 2024 , 19:41

578     0

An assailant viciously stabbed a Costa Coffee employee in the head twelve times following the denial of a vape charger

A court heard Darren Laken, 31, took a packet of knives from Poundland before stabbing the scared worker twelve times at the coffee shop in Belper, Derbyshire.

A thug who stabbed a Costa Coffee worker several times in the head over a row about his vape has been jailed.

Darren Laken, 31, took a packet of knives from Poundland before stabbing the stabbing the scared worker twelve times at the coffee shop in Belper, Derbyshire. A court heard he had gone to use the toilet and requested to charge his e-cigarette as he was leaving. But he was then told it was against store policy. He stormed out swearing and walked to The Lion Hotel close by, where he visited the bar, took a bottle of wine and poured it over a desk and computer. Laken pulled a hotel worker to the floor and began punching him. 

Another member of staff broke their hand as they tried to intervene. Having stole the pack of blades, Laken went to Costa and launched an extreme attack, stabbing the victim in the head and arms. Colleagues and customers gave first aid support until emergency services arrived to take him to hospital on September 16 last year.

In a victim impact statement the worker said he continues to "live every day with the physical and mental trauma of being stabbed in the head whilst at work." He added: "I wake up in the morning and the first thing I see in the mirror are my scars on my head and arms. I feel anxious around people and I’m always looking over my shoulder." 

Laken, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft, and criminal damage. He was sentenced to six years in prison, with an additional four years on licence at Derby Crown Court yesterday (Thurs).

Detective Constable Ashley Taylor, of Derbyshire Police, said: "This was a horrific incident, and my thoughts remain with the victim, who still lives with the mental and physical scars from this violent attack. I would like to thank him for his bravery throughout the investigation and during the court process. Laken committed numerous crimes and is now facing the consequences of those actions. I hope the fact that he is now in prison provides some reassurance to the local community."

"I’d like to recognise the vital role that local people played in securing this conviction, too, as they were instrumental in coming forward and telling us what happened. We want to be clear that violence will not be tolerated in Derbyshire, and we will continue to work hard to take action against those responsible for violent crime."

Thomas Brown