Offender Attacks Friend With Scalpel Days After Prison Release

A violent criminal with 102 previous offences attacked a friend with a scalpel just five days after being released early from prison.

Shane Lever, 34, split James Price’s lip open with the weapon at the victim’s home in Trecenydd, Caerphilly, on December 10, 2024 – requiring 20 stitches and leaving Mr Price unconscious.

Newport Crown Court heard the assault “came out of nowhere” when Lever visited Mr Price, whom he had known for 15 years. The defendant had asked for drugs pregabalin and Valium, claiming he was “struggling with heroin” and needed help.

Mr Price had congratulated Lever on his early release from prison on December 5, where he had served time for assaulting an emergency worker.

Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said: “After he was arrested on December 13, he told the police that the victim had lunged at him and punched him in the face. The defendant then became visibly distressed when he was shown pictures of Mr Price’s injuries during the interview.”

The court heard Lever’s criminal record includes 18 violent offences, with Mr Gobir stating: “His previous convictions are littered with offences of violence.”

Defence barrister Ed Mitchard said in mitigation: “The defendant had a difficult background – his father was murdered when he was a child. His mother had three children and two of his siblings have passed away.”

Judge Eugene Egan jailed Lever for 45 months and imposed a five-year restraining order preventing contact with Mr Price.