Two men have been jailed for an attack which left a teenager with life-changing injuries in Eastbourne.
The 17-year-old victim was stabbed in the stomach in Terminus Road on Saturday, April 10.
He'd been in the town centre with friends when they got involved in an altercation with two men.
Both group of friends got on with their day, but later that evening the victim crossed paths with the pair by the entrance to The Beacon shopping centre.
As he ran from them, he tripped on a kerb and fell at which point he was stabbed once to the stomach while lying on the ground.
The victim was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where he underwent emergency surgery. He has been left with life-changing injuries as a result of the attack.
The suspects reportedly ran from the scene in the direction of Hyde Gardens, discarding something in a bush, which was later found to be the knife with the suspect's DNA on.
Officers later found CCTV footage of the pair buying a knife in The Beacon shopping centre, and in Terminus Road around the time of the assault.
Ashley Roberts-Araujo,19, and Inno Makolo, 21, (left and right in main picture) were both arrested, charged and later pleaded guilty at court.
They admitted wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place when they appeared in court on May 21.
Both men appeared for sentencing at Lewes Crown Court on Monday (November 15). Makolo, unemployed, of Chatsworth Road, Hackney, was sentenced to six years detention in a young offenders institution and Roberts-Araujo, a scaffolder, of Sutton Way, Kensington, was sentenced to six years imprisonment.
Both were also given sentences of six months, to run concurrently with the six year sentences, for possession of offensive weapons.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jo Lane, said:
"This was a vicious attack that has left a teenager traumatised and with life-changing injuries.
“I’d like to thank everyone who supported our investigation, and the members of the public who administered vital first aid to the victim at the scene.
“Thanks to a swift response by officers and detailed witness testimonials, we were able to gather strong evidence which led to guilty pleas in court.
"Makolo and Roberts-Araujo were only visiting Eastbourne for a short period of time, yet chose to engage in serious violence while they were here. This will not be tolerated in our community and I'm pleased to see these two dangerous offenders sentenced for their actions."
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