Man who armed himself with knives in cafe jailed

A man who armed himself with knives during an altercation at a café is facing more than two years in prison.

The victim suffered serious head injuries in his attempt to escape from Gulam Choudhury, who had threatened to stab him.

In February 33-year-old Choudhury went into the café in the Bury Park area of Luton before getting involved in an altercation with a group of people upstairs.

Choudhury went downstairs, armed himself with two knives before heading back upstairs and threatening the victim.

Faced with the threat of being stabbed, the victim jumped down a stairwell to try and escape, suffering multiple facial fractures in the process.

Choudhury, of Beech Road, Luton, was arrested shortly afterwards.

Last week he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent and was sentenced to two years and two months in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner, from Bedfordshire Police, said: "This incident in a very public place caused understandable concern in the local community, so I am especially glad Choudhury has been brought to justice and put behind bars so quickly.

"Knives ruin lives, plain and simple. Arming yourself with a weapon, even just for a moment, can cause long lasting and hugely damaging consequences.

"The victim here suffered serious injuries; Choudhury himself is facing a prison spell, and this criminal conviction will stay with him for the rest of his life. This is without mentioning the likely impact on the loved ones of all those involved.

"No good can come of arming yourself with, or carrying, knives, and I would encourage everyone reading this to help us spread this important message across all our communities."