Pair jailed after fleeing UK following stabbing

Two Romanian men have been jailed after they stabbed a man in a "vicious and calculated assault" in Scarborough and then fled the country.

At York Crown Court on Thursday, Gheorghita Zamacali, 27, of Vine Street, Scarborough, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was jailed for five years.

Laurentiu Ardeleanu, 23, of Blands Cliff, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to wounding and was jailed for two and a half years.

Det Con Benjamin Holtby, said the assault at a block of flats on West Park Terrace in January 2025 had been a "dangerous, violent and potentially fatal premeditated attack".

He added: "The defendants not only arranged the assault, they also had a plan to flee and avoid being held responsible for their actions."

A police spokesperson said officers called to the incident found the victim, a 30-year-old man, "covered in blood from a stab wound to his chest and a laceration on his head".

They added: "After stabbing the victim, the defendants proceeded to assault the victim, only stopping when police sirens were heard. They then fled the UK within hours of the attack."

On 8 February 2025, both Ardeleanu and Zamacali were arrested in Kent as they returned to the UK via the Channel Tunnel.

North Yorkshire Police said both defendants initially denied their involvement, stating they found the victim already injured.

Det Con Holtby, said: "Throughout the investigation, we discovered a great deal of planning went into this resulting in an extremely high level of violence carried out by both Zamacali and Ardeleanu.

"This attack not only caused significant physical injury, but also a psychological impact to the victim as well.

"He is very lucky to have not suffered more serious, long-lasting physical injury, and he is thankful for the initial attending officers for the medical aid they provided.

"Praise must be given to the victim for attending court to pursue justice against his attackers."

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