16th birthday party carnage as guests stabbed and shot by uninvited gang (2025)

A 16th birthday bash descended into chaos with guests being shot and stabbed by an uninvited armed gang.

The celebration at a house on Kingfisher Avenue, Stockton, turned sour, when one party-goer, Jamil Bennett, had a disagreement with another reveller. Teesside Crown Court heard how Bennett made a phone call which resulted in the weapon-clutching group forcing their way into the house party in 2020.

Carnage unfolded and guests were shot with BB guns, while some revellers were stabbed with knives. One of the gang was wielding an extendable baton.

The court heard that although "the police have a good idea" who the attackers were, they do not have sufficient evidence to charge them. Bennett, now aged 21, was 16 when he attended the do on February 15, 2020. He was found to have no idea of the level of violence that would follow the phone call he made; or that the gang who arrived around 9.30pm would be armed.

On Wednesday, the court heard that the first guest was attacked by the violent mob after they came in through the back garden gate. They stabbed the man in the face three times and shot him with a BB gun.

The victim thinks his attackers mistook him for Bennett. The nerve in his finger was severed and he has been left with permanent scars on his cheek from the knife wounds.

Other guests were shot and stabbed - with one female victim undergoing surgery after a gun pellet was lodged in her hand. Further victims were shot in the arm and the face.

Bennett, of Orkney Way, in Thornaby, pleaded guilty to five counts of grievous bodily harm.

In mitigation, Rob Mochrie told the court Bennett tried to help police identify the attackers and that some people were interviewed, but there was no evidence.

"His account is that he was trailing at the back of the mob," Mr Mochrie said. "The victim who suffered grave injuries is a close friend of Mr Bennett."

Teesside Live reported at the time how a teenage boy ended up in hospital after being stabbed at the house party, which also saw five other school kids injured from a BB gun in the shooting. Pictures showed how Kingfisher Avenue, made up of new-build homes not far from North Shore Academy, was taped off by Cleveland Police on the Saturday night as part of the major incident which saw armed officers rush to the scene.

Police said at the time that a 16-year-old boy suffered a stab wound to his abdomen and back, and a wound to his face. He was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton. Reportedly, teenage girls had locked themselves inside a bathroom at the property while others hid.

The court heard that Bennett, who has no other convictions, now has a job in telecommunications, in London. "Because of criminal records checks, he has had to notify his employer of today's hearing and his prospects now look ominous," Mr Mochrie added. "He's due to have a meeting. No doubt his employer would love to keep him on, but he fears they won't be able to. It's a double blow to him."

Judge Richard Clews said: "This was an absolutely horrific incident. The birthday party should have been a happy, joyous occasion. It turned into an absolute and complete nightmare for a number of families involved. I am told that there was a disagreement with one of the other attendees and you called at least one other, to attend. What you said to that person on the phone - nobody knows.

"The prosecution do not allege that you knew how many people would arrive, or that they would be armed and cause serious injury. Youngsters were shot with these guns and stabbed with knives. Some of the injuries are permanent.

"I have to consider what your culpability is. You didn't cause any injuries, but if you hadn't made that phone call the guests wouldn't have been attacked."

Bennett was handed an 18-month court order, and ordered to attend 45 rehabilitation days with the probation service.

"Those principally responsible for the attacks have not been brought to justice" the judge continued, "and it would be wrong to take that out on you."

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