Chess player is jailed for three years for stabbing female rival in drunken row over her ability to play the game
- Ian Lewis, 56, slashed neighbour Louise Bailey three times with kitchen knife
- She went to flat in Brighton for drinks when a row erupted after he mocked her
- He admitted unlawful wounding, sentenced to three years at Hove Crown Court
Ian Lewis (pictured) slashing his neighbour three times with a kitchen knife at his home in Brighton
A Chess player is jailed for stabbing his opponent in a drunken row over a game.
Ian Lewis, 56, slashing his neighbour three times with a kitchen knife at his home in Brighton.
Louise Bailey had gone to his flat for drinks and Chess but a row erupted when Lewis mocked her ability and the chess board was tipped over.
Ms Bailey said she remembered being on the floor with Lewis trying to stab her during the incident in June.
She had wounds to her body, thigh and arm that all needed stitches at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
At Hove Crown Court Judge Shani Barnes found Lewis was dangerous and posed a risk of stabbing other people.
He had previously been jailed for stabbing a friend in 2016.
He has been sent back to prison for three years, with an extended licence period of a further three years.
Richard Cherrill, prosecuting, said: ‘There was a game of chess between the two, I don’t think it was completed as the board was tipped over.
Louise Bailey had gone to his flat for drinks and Chess but a row erupted when Lewis mocked her ability and the chess board was tipped over (file image)
‘According to Ms Bailey the defendant remonstrated with her and spoke unkindly about her talents at that particular game.
‘She had drunk quite a lot and has no recollection of what happened.’
The prosecutor said Lewis attacked her with a broken serrated steak knife.
He added: ‘From what she has pieced together the thing she can remember is being on the ground with him stabbing her.’
Sarah Thorne, defending, said Lewis has had a chequered life, at times being a rough sleeper and homeless and said it is clear her client has a drink problem.
At Hove Crown Court (pictured) Judge Shani Barnes found Lewis was dangerous and posed a risk of stabbing other people
Judge Barnes said Lewis will have to ‘come to terms with the fact his anger is out of control’.
She said: ‘It sounds so ridiculous that you would take a knife to a family friend who was clearly drunk and stabbed her.
‘It was not just in a moment of madness, you stabber her three times. You are lucky it did not penetrate an artery or cause more serious harm.’
Lewis admitted unlawful wounding and was considered a risk to public safety.
It means that unlike usual prisoners who are released half way through serving their time behind bars, he will serve two thirds before a parole decision.