Homeless Sheffield career criminal jailed for stabbing man who asked him to leave the property he was squatting in

A homeless Sheffield man stabbed another male with a Stanley knife after he told him to get out of the flat he was squatting in, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
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Franklin Tomlinson, also known as ‘Razor’ had only recently been released from prison when the incident occurred on March 15 last year, and the other man had found out that he was staying at his property with a woman.

Prosecuting, Gurdial Singh said that the property’s owner had become aware of the issue two days earlier and had gone round to tell him to leave when Tomlinson stabbed him three times.

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He told the court: “They both went outside and there appears to have been a fight and a number of punches appear to have been exchanged and he didn’t realise at that point that he had been stabbed.

Franklin Tomlinson was jailed when he appeared before Sheffield Crown CourtFranklin Tomlinson was jailed when he appeared before Sheffield Crown Court
Franklin Tomlinson was jailed when he appeared before Sheffield Crown Court

“He had a severe injury to his neck, which could have proved fatal, as well as stab wounds to his chest and right arm. A witness said he saw someone he knew as ‘Razor’ holding a Stanley knife, and blood was flowing from the victim’s neck like a fountain.

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“Police attended the address and removed various items for inspection, and the victim’s blood was found on tracksuit bottoms and trainers belonging to the defendant.”

Tomlinson, 61, of no fixed address, had denied more serious charges of wounding with intent, but admitted the lesser offence of unlawful wounding when prosecution witnesses refused to give evidence, the court heard.

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The career criminal has 32 previous convictions for a total of 64 offences, including a previous unlawful wounding and wounding with intent.

His latest offence was also committed while the defendant was still on licence, following his recent prison release, the court heard.

In 2008, Tomlinson was banned from the Landsdown Estate, in Sharrow, by a County Court order, for terrorising vulnerable residents and occupying properties for suspected criminal activities.

South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council worked together to persuade a judge to ban Tomlinson from the streets, in an order which ran for a year.

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And in 2-13, he was told by a judge at Sheffield Crown Court that “he was too old to be clambering around on roofs” when he appeared in connection to burglary matters.

Mitigating, Patrick Buckley told the court: “He can consider himself extremely fortunate to find himself in the position he is in, if he had not pleaded when he did, the offer [of less serious charges] would not have been made.

“It’s a difficult environment living on the streets, when you’ve recently left prison with £20 and a bag of clothes. It’s a violent place, living on the streets and, very quickly, people break down.

"His father also recently passed away and he’s had to del with that while he has been in custody.”

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Sentencing Tomlinson – who appeared via videolink from HMP Doncaster where he was being held on remand - to two-and-a-half years in prison, Recorder Paul Kirtley told him: “This is a serious matter with serious outcomes for the complainant.”

Editor’s message: In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.