Knifeman jailed for Christmas Eve pub stabbing of fighter

A Flintshire man has been locked up for seven years after carrying out a brutal knife attack on a martial arts fighter in a Christmas Eve pub confrontation.

Luke Smaje launched his revenge assault on Jack Shaw at the Broad Oak pub in Connah’s Quay after the pair had both been in relationships with the same woman at different times. The 23-year-old, who had been complaining about disrespect and wanting to “show pain”, encountered his victim at the bar on 24th December.

While it appeared the two men had agreed to settle their differences outside, Mold Crown Court heard that Smaje instead got the “jump” on Mr Shaw before they could leave the premises. Armed with what the judge described as a “fairly sizeable” knife, Smaje struck twice – with one devastating blow piercing completely through Mr Shaw’s liver.

The injured fighter was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital in a critical condition, having lost two and a half litres of blood. Surgeons operated twice after complications arose, battling to save the life of the professional fighter hopeful.

In a heartbreaking victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Shaw’s mother Catherine Green described the terrifying ordeal: “For hours I did not know if he would survive. No parent should have to fear for (their child’s) life.”

She revealed the physical toll on her son, whose weight plummeted from 72kg to just 60kg within a fortnight. “Seeing his body weakening was heartbreaking,” she told the court.

Mr Shaw had invested all his savings into training in Thailand, pursuing his dream of becoming a professional fighter. His mother said: “Now because of this violent act he may never be able to follow his career.”

His Honour Timothy Petts acknowledged the life-changing impact, telling Smaje there may always be a weakness caused by his injuries. The judge said the liver wound measured four to five centimetres long, adding that had it been “slightly different”, Smaje could have faced a murder charge.

Addressing the defendant via video link from HMP Berwyn, Judge Petts said: “It’s clear you may have been trying to get a jump on him (before reaching the exit) probably because you realised you would be no match for him as a fighter outside (the pub).”

The court heard the attack stemmed from “readiness” to use the knife rather than premeditation, motivated by revenge over their relationships with the same woman. Smaje had been under the influence of ketamine and alcohol at the time.

The judge noted: “What you did was out of character for you even bearing in mind you were in the habit of carrying a knife illegally.”

Smaje, of Broad Oak View, Northop Hall, admitted wounding with intent and was sentenced to seven years for that offence, plus 16 months concurrent for possession of a knife in a public place. He must serve two-thirds of his main sentence – four years and eight months – before becoming eligible to apply for parole.