KNIFE CRIME GETS COMMUNITY WORK SENTENCE

By Mohammad Khan

03/03/09

A 20 year man charged for knife crime has been sentenced to 200 hours community work.

Sheffield crown court sentenced Tahir Sharif from Netherage, following the directives issued by magistrate court for carrying knife.

Neil Coxton prosecuting said that his former girlfriend reported Mr. Sharif's behaviour. Ms Anisha from 24 swarcliff,darnall reported that his behaviour was threatening when he confronted her in a dark alley at 1700hrs.

Mr Sharif was later taken into custody.The CCTV footage revealed that he was carrying a blade. There was a substantial chance of using it during confrontation.

The Defence, Mathew Stanberry, described Mr. Sharif as a young man with high determination. He is working as a volunteer. He has no previous convictions.He said, ''The magistrate directives are second degree directives. But Mr Sharif's clean record qualifies him for lesser sentence.''

The Recorder Dean Smith said while sentencing Mr Sharif, ''knife crime has taken many lives across London but you are a young man. It is your first time. You have learnt a lesson'' and added, ''your sentence is a direct alternative to custody.''

The recorder asked Mr Sharif to contact probation officer.