A VIOLENT criminal who spent 15 years behind bars for robbery has been locked up again for stabbing a man with a kitchen knife.

Yesterday, Mohammed Malik, 48, was convicted by a jury of unlawful wounding after a trial at Bradford Crown Court.

Malik, with a record for violence stretching back to the 1990s, stabbed the man in temper in Clover Street, Great Horton, Bradford, on August 10 last year.

He was also sentenced for possession of a bladed instrument on the same date.

Judge Graham Reeds KC jailed Malik for three years but he may spend a great deal longer in prison after being recalled on a life licence.

In mitigation after the guilty verdicts, it was said that he had a troubled upbringing and was bullied and encouraged to commit offences from a young age.

He became institutionalised, although he had done manual work from time to time.

After his release in 2021, he became homeless and was sharing accommodation with his victim on Clover Street. The knife was recovered from Malik’s room, the court was told.

Prosecutor Michael Greenhalgh said Malik’s criminal past went back to 1990 when he was sentenced for robbery. In 1993, he was locked up for 18 months for a Section 18 GBH.

Offences of affray and robbery came after that and in 1997, he was imprisoned for six years for another wounding with intent.

His longest sentence was meted out at Bradford Crown Court for robbery in 2006.

Mr Greenhalgh said that although Malik was labelled a public danger and ordered to serve a minimum of two years in jail, he actually spent 15 years behind bars because The Parole Board did not consider it safe to release him until 2021.

Mr Greenhalgh said Malik had used a highly dangerous weapon although he conceded that the injuries were not the most serious.

Judge Reeds said anyone who took a knife on to the street and wounded someone must expect a lengthy prison sentence. Malik had wielded a kitchen knife indiscriminately in temper to stab his victim.

The judge stated that it was clear to him that he was a dangerous offender within the meaning of the law.

Malik will have to serve at least half the sentence in prison but he won’t be let out until The Parole Board thinks it is safe to release him.

Judge Reeds asked for a transcript of his sentencing remarks to be supplied to the prison for use in the decision-making process.