A Snapchat row ended up with a teenager suffering life changing injuries after being stabbed twice with a four-inch knife.

Dominik Kulak, of Wem, Tyler Newman, of Hartsill, Stoke-on-Trent and Edward Lewis, of Calverhall, Whitchurch, were all 17 at the time of the attack in Stoke-on-Trent on April 9, 2021.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard on Tuesday, April 4 that the victim was left bleeding heavily when passers-by including an off-duty paramedic came to his aid. He suffered permanent injuries from the stabbing.

Kulak, the youngest of the trio, was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years for violent disorder, wounding without intent and possession of a bladed article.

Newman, 19, was given 15 months for violent disorder and eight months to run concurrently for possession of an offensive weapon, suspended for 18 months.

Lewis, also 19, was given a 12-month sentence suspended for 12 months for violent disorder.

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The court heard that a pre-arranged one-to-one fight between the victim and Kulak on Snapchat had "potentially turned three on one," when Newman and Lewis showed up in The Avenue in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent.

Prosecuting barrister Mr Ahuja said the victim was hit by Lewis and they began punching each other, before Kulak was seen pulling out a knife and Newman a bat, which he swung at the victim's head, narrowly missing.

A witness tried to break up the fight, but couldn't pull the victim away.

Mr Ahuja said: "He then becomes aware that the victim is shouting that he’d been stabbed while Tyler Newman swung the bat again missing the victim's head once again.

"The victim is heard shouting he’s been stabbed as three defendants start to run away. The victim is seen stumbling bleeding heavily in the abdomen and leg. He was then aided by passers-by from a taxi and an off-duty paramedic."

In a victim impact statement read in court, the victim said life had been "extremely difficult" and the pain from his stab injuries were "unbearable".

He told the court that he aspired to be a firefighter, fears he can never play football again, and cannot drive because of his ongoing mobility issues but added "I won't let this spoil my future".

The court heard that Kulak accepted that he brought a knife to the fight to scare people off “if it got out of hand”, and his barrister Miss O-Reilly said her client, who came to the UK aged six, was remorseful and apologised to the victim.

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She added: "He is a young man with deep family ties. They were appalled and shocked by his behaviour but they continue to support him.

"He was very concerned about his friend on this particular occasion; his perception was there was bullying, and he wanted to be there for his friend."

Kulak's barrister added that the 19-year-old suffers from depression and a "probable diagnosis of PTSD as a result of what he has done".

Edwards’ defence barrister Mr Cliff said the offence was "very much out of character".

"Whatever the reason for the dispute in this occasion it was not Edward Lewis' dispute," he said. "This is an obvious example of the dangers of juvenile bravado."

Mr White, Newman’s barrister, called the incident "almost a schoolboy fight that went very, very wrong".

The judge suspended their sentences because all three are at low risk of reoffending, have shown attempts to rehabilitate themselves, have good character, no previous offending and have caring families who would be impacted by prison terms.

All three were also given rehabilitation days - 25 for Newman, 20 for Lewis and 45 for Kulak - plus unpaid work of 150, 120 and 180 hours respectively. Newman must pay £500 compensation, and Kulak and Lewis £3,000 each.