Aaron Ward to be sentenced in Armidale court for Elizabeth Street stabbing

Aaron Ward appeared via video link in Armidale Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty after prosecutors downgraded the charge against him.

“Yo yo,” Ward said when questioned by Magistrate Michael Holmes.

“The prosecution has charged an offence of reckless wounding … which is a lesser charge, do you understand?” Mr Holmes said.

“Yeah I agree to that,” Ward replied.

According to court papers, Ward wounded a 24-year-old man between 12.20 and 2am on February 29 after he confronted him in Elizabeth St.

“The victim realised the offender was holding two knives, one in each hand,” court facts stated, which were the size of a “steak knife”.

“The victim backed up onto the footpath and the offender rushed at him.”

The victim dropped his drink and and walked back, before Ward rushed at him again.

“The offender swung the knife in his left hand at the victim and he felt the knife stab him in the right side of the body,” facts said.

Two women tried to stop Ward, before the victim managed to flee on foot.

“The offender ran after him and threw one of the knives at the victim,” facts state, with the knife missing the victim and falling onto the road.

The victim managed to get to a family member’s house who drive him to the police station before he was taken to hospital, for treatment of a 5mm wound.

Ward was arrested by police on March 4, and has been behind bars since. The court was told he is “currently serving a balance of parole”.

Mr Holmes requested to see photos of the wound and an expert certificate, but the court heard there was only a hand-held video recording.

“It ended suddenly because the complainant needed more treatment...so that could be why,” solicitor Wendy McAuliffe said. The court heard Ward is in Tamworth court for other matters next week which “could resolve”, Ms McAuliffe said.

Mr Holmes adjourned the case for sentencing.