Man attacked with axe and knife as violence flares in Barnsley street
“You hit him with the axe at least three times”
A man was left with a deformed arm and multiple stab wounds after a street attack, in which weapons including an axe and a knife were used.
Aaron Leeson struck his victim least three times with the axe, whilst a second attacker stabbed the same man four times.
The victim suffered multiple injuries, including a broken, “deformed” arm, along with multiple stab wounds to his chest, abdomen and buttock, for which he underwent surgery.
No reason was given for the violence which was meted out by the two men on a residential Barnsley street, when Leeson was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court.
In a statement read to the court, the victim said the attack has had an “enormous impact” on him.
He is a former serviceman and said the assault in March 2025 had triggered his post-traumatic stress disorder.
Jailing Leeson for four years and four months, The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, told him: “It was a joint attack, it was two-on-one.
“You attacked the victim in a public place. You hit him with the axe at least three times.
“After the incident you drove away.”
Leeson, aged 37, of Hawshaw Bank, Hoyland, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to charges of wounding with intent and possessing a blade in a public place.
He was initially deemed unfit for interview by the police, and he was subsequently detained at Wathwood Hospital, which provides medium secure inpatient services for male adult patients with mental disorders.
Defending, Laura Marshall said Leeson was diagnosed with a dissocial personality disorder, during his time at the hospital.
“When he’s in that moment of crisis he believes that everything he does is correct and appropriate,” Ms Marshall said, adding that Leeson witnessed a lot of violence growing up.
Leeson’s co-accused received a prison sentence of several years in March 2026, the court heard.