A FISHPONDS man has been found guilty of attempting to murder a teenager with a machete in a “horrendous attack” at a McDonald’s restaurant.
Joel Binnings (above) stabbed the 16-year-old boy “multiple times” in front of families and children at the fast-food chain’s Broadmead branch in the Horsefair earlier this year.
Police said the victim of the attack, who cannot be named, is “very lucky to be alive” after spending two months in intensive care and suffering life-changing injuries, while witnesses were “traumatised” by what they saw.
Binnings, who was 19 at the time of the attack on February 8, admitted causing his victim grievous bodily harm but denied the attempted murder charge.
He was convicted by a jury at Bristol Crown Court this week.
During the four-day trial, jurors were shown CCTV footage of the incident, which showed the victim trying to run away from Binnings and holding his hands up to try and defend himself.
They also heard from witnesses who were in the fast food restaurant at the time.
Avon & Somerset police said several members of the public, including an off-duty nurse, had saved the life of the victim, before police officers and the ambulance service arrived.
Binnings ran out of the restaurant and was chased by a police officer who was patrolling the city centre at the time, but managed to get away.
However detectives quickly identified him as the offender, and he was arrested a few days later.
Police said the victim was taken to hospital, where he spent nearly four months being treated, two of them in intensive care.
A spokesperson said: “He continues to recover from his injuries, some of which are life-changing.”
‘Horrendous attack’ left families traumatised
After the verdict the police senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Hannah Marsh, said: “This was a horrendous attack on a teenage boy by another young man, using a large knife in a very public place.
“Families and children were inside McDonald’s at the time of the incident and were traumatised by what they witnessed.
“The ferocity of the attack carried out by Binnings was such that his victim is very lucky to be alive.
“The evidence provided to the court makes clear the impact the incident has had on him and lays bare the serious consequences of knife crime.
“The material we gathered which was presented to the jury left them with no doubt that Binnings meant to kill his victim, and he now rightly can expect to spend a significant time behind bars.
Members of public saved victim’s life
“The victim, his family, and all those who’ve been involved in investigating this awful incident would like to thank the members of the public who came to his aid in the moments after the attack.
“They not only comforted him and provided him with reassurance, they saved his life and their humanity and public spiritedness deserves to be recognised.”
Binnings, now aged 20, has been remanded in custody.
He is due to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on October 11.