A teenager who stabbed an off-duty police officer after a row broke out at a McDonald’s branch has been sent to a young offender institute.
Harvey Smalling, who was 19 at the time, had been drinking when he visited the fast-food chain and threatened to “knife” is victim.
Off-duty officer Daniel Carter had been drinking at the Golden Lion in Rochester on July 17 last year with fellow officer Conor Keenan before the pair headed to McDonald’s in Commercial Road, Strood.
It was there they saw Smalling, who is now 20, ordering his food on a nearby screen.
Prosecutor Ryan Evans told the court: “They used self-service tills to make their order. Mr Carter was given order six and Conor Keenan number seven.
“Staff called out order number 5 and no one came to collect their order. Smalling is described as looking strangely at Mr Carter and looking through him.
“Daniel Carter said to his fellow officer ‘maybe he doesn’t understand English’, but Smalling became aggressive and said ‘come outside, what’s your problem’.”
Mr Evans then explained how Smalling, of Eldred Drive, Orpington, came close to Mr Carter who said: “What the f*** are you on about, get your food,” before telling him to go away.
Smalling was then heard repeatedly saying “come outside”. The two men then left the restaurant and walked toward the gym in the same road.
Wearing a balaclava at the time, Smalling then said: “Number Five…I’ll knife you, yeah.”
The prosecutor told the court how Mr Carter produced his phone telling Smalling the police were on their way.
Smalling knocked the phone out of his hand, repeating “I’ll knife you, yeah”. Mr Carter lifted his arms to push him away and felt a punch to his left-hand side, which turned out to be a stab wound.
The ambulance service arrived and Mr Carter was airlifted to Kings College hospital due to the location of the stabbing and risk of severe internal bleeding.
The court heard how he was treated for a 1cm wound.
Smalling was was given a 32-month sentence after admitting affray and four months for wounding which will run concurrently.
