She attacked another resident during the violent confrontation
An aggressive woman suddenly turned nasty and pulled out a potentially lethal kitchen knife before angrily brandishing it during a violent confrontation while she was being evicted from the place where she had been living. Fired-up troublemaker Stacie Sykes threatened another woman and goaded her with “Come on, let’s go outside”.
There was a struggle before the police arrived just in time to prevent further trouble, Hull Crown Court heard. Sykes, 39, of no fixed address, admitted offences of affray, assault and possessing a blade in Hull on July 18.
Georgia Bradley, prosecuting, said that Sykes and a woman were living at the time in the same accommodation for homeless people in Boulevard, west Hull. At about midday, Sykes was being evicted and conversations over this were overheard by the other woman.
Sykes told her: “Come on, let’s go outside.” Near the front door, Sykes punched her on the right side of her neck.
There was a struggle as the woman tried to prevent any further attacks. Sykes pulled a kitchen knife out and another woman warned: “She’s got a knife.”
There was another struggle and Sykes swung the knife three times. The other woman suffered scratches on her arm and a red mark on her neck as a result of the punch.
“A member of staff was, fortunately, able to intervene,” said Miss Bradley. Police arrived on the scene at about 12.40pm. The knife was put out of reach of Sykes.
During police interview, Sykes made no comment to all questions. She had convictions for 30 previous offences, most recently for assaults in 2021 and 2022.
Do you feel safe where you live? You can have your say by completing the poll below or by clicking here.
Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, mitigating, said that Sykes was engaging with the help that she was receiving. “She hopes to turn her life around,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.
Judge John Thackray KC told Sykes: “You have had chances before for violence and here you are again in July committing an offence of affray, brandishing a knife. These courts are well familiar with what happens when people brandish knives.
“Very quickly, things escalate and people receive a fatal wound. You would have been facing life imprisonment. That could easily have happened here.”
Sykes was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence and 20 days’ rehabilitation. “If you lose your temper again, you start with 16 months plus anything extra on top for a new offence,” said Judge Thackray.