The Judge said the incident was ‘frightening and upsetting for the people who live in that area’
Ryan Kirkham (left) and Nathan Price have both appeared at court(Image: Humberside Police)
A nasty argument between two men in a busy street suddenly turned violent when one of them chased the other with a knife during an “appalling” confrontation. His rival grabbed a pole and hurled it towards the other man while children were about, Hull Crown Court heard.
Ryan Kirkham, 28, of Owthorne Grove, east Hull, and Nathan Price, 26, of Hopewell Road, east Hull, both admitted affray on July 13. Kirkham also admitted possessing a knife in public and Price admitted possessing an offensive weapon.
Henry Fernandez, prosecuting, told an earlier hearing that Price and Kirkham became involved in an argument, which escalated into fighting. Punches were exchanged and others on the scene tried to separate them. Kirkham had a kitchen knife of about seven inches with him during the trouble in Lingdale Road, Hull.
“He chased Price with that knife,” said Mr Fernandez. Price grabbed a pole and threw it towards Kirkham. “The incident occurred in a busy public area,” said Mr Fernandez.
During police interview, Kirkham claimed that he was acting in self-defence. The court heard that Price also admitted separate offences of assault on April 4 last year, involving slapping his partner during an argument, as well as assaulting a police officer as an emergency worker on April 10 last year, involving throwing a chair at a wall, causing an interviewing officer some fear. He also admitted possessing cannabis on April 9 last year.
Both had previous convictions. Kirkham had, in December 2023, been given a two-year suspended prison sentence for possessing cocaine and Ecstasy with intent to supply in Hull on February 3, 2022.
At an earlier hearing in September, sentence was deferred for six months so that Kirkham and Price could prove that they could stay out of trouble. They had both been in custody at the time of the previous hearing but were released that day on trust.
Judge John Thackray KC told them at the earlier hearing: “It was appalling behaviour, frightening and upsetting for the people who live in that area having to experience something like that. You have had a taste of custody.
“I am going to give you a chance to prove yourself. Keep out of trouble. Cooperate with the probation service.”
At a resumed hearing, Holly Thompson, mitigating, said Kirkham had complied with the deferred sentence and there had been no further offences. Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, representing Price, said that another matter against him had been discontinued. He had complied with the deferment.
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Judge Thackray gave both men suspended prison sentences but they were warned that they faced prison if there were any more offences. “You have come very close to an immediate custodial sentence,” said Judge Thackray.
“It was a disgraceful incident. It was appalling.” Local people living in the area had to see Kirkham and Price, one of them with a knife and the other with a pole, and there were children around.
Kirkham and Price were each given a 15-month suspended prison sentence and a four-month monitoring order. Kirkham was given 20 days’ rehabilitation and Price 15 days.
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