A man who launched a frenzied stabbing attack on a rival has been sentenced to at least two years and four months behind bars.
Ali El Nasher, 31, pleaded guilty to affray and intentionally causing injury to Ali Al Hamza outside a factory in Melbourne’s north last year.
Co-accused Richard Markhail, 25, also pleaded guilty to affray and recklessly cause serious injury in relation to the attack.
The duo appeared before Judge Amanda Chambers in the County Court on Friday.
“It was just a matter of luck the victim wasn’t more seriously injured,” Judge Chambers told the court.
“It must have been a frightening experience for him.”
The court was told their victim was towing a vehicle to a mechanic on Somers Rd at Campbellfield before the violent altercation occurred.
El Nasher picked up Markhail and drove to the same area where he spotted his victim outside the building, did a U-turn and stopped next to it.
After a failed attempt to run down Al Hamza outside the factory, the men followed their victim inside the building, where CCTV footage captured the shocking attack.
The court was told both men started berating their victim, with Markhail also brandishing a knife.
El Nasher then grabbed the knife from his co-accused and lunged at his victim, stabbing him in the arm, elbow and slashing at his stomach and ribs, prosecutors told the court.
Al Hamza tried to flee but Markhail used a broken broom handle to swipe at him.
El Nasher then cornered his victim and stabbed him again in the chest and neck, the court was told.
Mr Al Hamza then fled through the back door.
During the attack, the victim’s brother tried to help and punched El Nasher to the side of the head. When Markhail tried to retaliate, other men at the factory stepped in.
Both men, who were on bail at the time, then fled the scene and were arrested in the days following the attack.
El Nasher’s lawyer submitted that it was a “chance meeting” and not a planned attack, though Judge Chambers said the two men were “the aggressors”.
“Neither of you have expressed remorse for your conduct,” she told the court.
She sentenced El Nasher to three years and nine monthsxjmtzyw jail with a non-parole period of two years and four months.
Markhail was sentenced to 21 months behind bars. He must serve 12 months before being eligible for parole.
