A TEENAGER stabbed a drugs dealer in the neck for £20 worth of cannabis, a court heard.
James Wilson, 17, of Milton Green, near Tattenhall, admitted unlawful wounding but was cleared of wounding with intent after a two-day trial at Chester Crown Court, which ended on August 8.
But a jury of seven men and five women found him guilty of attempting to rob Jonathan Paul Scott, of Delamere, during an incident in Chester Road, Tattenhall, on April 19, when regular cannabis user Wilson had arranged to buy some potent ‘skunk’ cannabis from Mr Scott.
Wilson, known as “Big Jim”, waited at the youth shelter opposite the primary school for him to arrive, having armed himself with a wooden- handled kitchen knife.
Mr Scott arrived shortly afterwards in a green Fiat Bravo driven by his friend Duncan West and accompanied by a third man, James Reynolds, who sat in the back seat.
Wilson told the men to go further along the road where they would not be overlooked, which they did.
Caroline Harris, prosecuting, said Wilson had deliberately set out to rob Mr Scott of money and cannabis.
She said that, after a brief conversation at the half-open window, Wilson reached into the car and grabbed Mr Scott by the neck with one hand, pulled a knife from his pocket with the other and demanded drugs and money.
During the ensuing scuffle, Mr Scott was stabbed in the neck and sustained defensive injuries to his hands.
But David Potter, defending, said Wilson acted only after Mr Scott tried to signal to the driver of the car to leave after money had exchanged hands, which he denied.
After receiving medical attention at the Countess of Chester Hospital, Mr Scott was given a caution for possession of cannabis with intent to supply.
Recorder N S Clarke QC told Wilson: “You must be under no illusions whatsoever that you must prepare yourself for the fact that a long custodial sentence will be imposed.”
Wilson will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on September 8.
