Knifeman jailed for stabbing off-duty cop

A 42-year-old man was today jailed for stabbing an off-duty police officer while drunk just weeks after he was released from prison for possessing a bladed article.

Ross Parsons pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court last month to wounding Jerome Overby on October 4 at Cosmopolitan Nightclub in Hamilton.

Today, Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner sentenced him after ordering a social inquiry report.

He said: “His continued use or drugs has continuously impacted his behaviour and his offences.

“His previous convictions are atrocious and include not only robbery but other convictions for violence.”

At Parsons’ first hearing, the court heard that the complainant  was at the bar trying to order a drink at 1:30am when he saw the defendant get into an altercation with a security officer.

Mr Overby went over to the man and tried to escort Parsons out of the club.

The court heard Mr Overby saw the defendant motion towards his left arm and the next thing he knew, he felt a sharp pain.

Security officers came to his assistance and discovered Mr Overby had a four-inch wound on his arm caused by a sharp object.

Parsons then left the scene. A few days later, police officers saw Parsons standing outside of Salvation Army and arrested him for assault.

During an interview on October 10, Parsons was charged with the offence.

Parsons was jailed in June for three months for possession of a bladed article and was released from jail in August.

Mr Warner gave him two years imprisonment followed by two years probation.