A circus worker stabbed his boss and a colleague after being sacked. Joshua Whitwood used a penknife to attack the two men after behaving erratically, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Whitwood, 32, whose address was given as Cooper Row in Brundall, Norwich, pleaded guilty to theft and two offences of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He also admitted threatening to damage property.
The recorder Mr Ignatius Hughes QC jailed him for four years. He told Whitwood: "I take the view that probably drug-induced temporary psychosis did play a role." Whitwood was handed a 10-year restraining order banning him from contact with complainants.
Read more: Human remains found near M5 junction
James Tucker, prosecuting, said Whitwood was a general worker at Circus Funtasia in June last year when his behaviour turned erratic. Mr Tucker said when the circus was in Brent Knoll Whitwood went to Brent Knoll Garage, where he took keys from a lorry and stole a bottle of Cola and tennis balls from the petrol station shop.
Back at the circus Whitwood was fired, and in the trouble that flared he stabbed circus owner Yulian Nikolov and, when he intervened, circus performer Antonio Candela. The court heard Mr Nikolov suffered a cut to his thumb and Mr Candela was wounded to his thigh, forearm, face and neck.
In impact statements Mr Nikolov wrote how he was left shocked and stressed and Mr Candela wrote that the assault on him impacted both physically and mentally and left him fearful.
Kevin Hopper, defending, said his client had stopped taking medication for mental health issues and self-medicated on cannabis. He said at the time Whitwood was not in a good place, but his condition had improved in custody.
Sign up for our new Bristol's Court Insider newsletter for the latest court and crime news - from arrests to trials and sentencings
Read more: Man tried to rob boy's trousers
Read more: 'Cowboy builder' jailed
.jpg?w=600)
