Man jailed for wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article – Reading

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed after he was found guilty of wounding with intent and being in possession of a bladed article in a public place in Reading.

Ervis Kola, aged 35, of Brighton Road, Reading, was unanimously found guilty of one count each of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place following a five-day hearing at Reading Crown Court on 16 June.

Returning to the same Court, Kola was yesterday (6/9) sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and will be on licence for five years upon release.

At around 2pm on 19 December 2022, a verbal altercation took place between Kola and the victim, a man in his twenties at Market Place in Reading town centre.

Following the altercation, Kola produced a bladed article from his pocket and slashed the victim across the face and neck before fleeing from the scene.

The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and even though these have since healed, the physical scars serve as a constant reminder of this incident.

Kola was arrested the same day and was charged on 20 December 2022.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Kevin Godding of Reading’s CID team, said: “This was a callous knife which occurred in broad daylight in a busy area while people were Christmas shopping.

“Knife crime will not be tolerated in our communities and I hope that Kola’s lengthy sentence sends out a strong message that we will seek to prosecute those who do so.

“It is completely unacceptable for anybody to carry a knife, and Thames Valley Police will continue to pursue those who carry them and bring them before the courts.”

AP

UPDATE: The jail sentence has been amended to 10 years in prison. And we have added that the altercation was a verbal one.