Man who stabbed security staff with wine glass imprisoned

A man who stabbed three hotel staff members in the face has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Oliver Huckerby, 22, of Piggotts Way in Bishops Stortford, was found guilty of Grievous Bodily Harm with intent by the jury at Inner London Crown Court.

On Saturday 16 December 2023, Huckerby and his girlfriend checked into the Leonardo Royal St Paul’s hotel on Godliman Street. Huckerby became aggressive after being denied access to the rooftop bar. A security officer Daniel Lessie asked Huckerby to leave. Huckerby smashed a wine glass in the security officer’s face and then used the broken stem as a weapon.

A barman stepped in to stop the attack on the security officer and was stabbed in the face, close to the eye. The wound was very deep and has left a life changing scar on the victim. Huckerby’s third victim was Marcel Seaka another security guard who called 999 to alert the police.

Detective Constable Connor Devine at City of London Police said:

“This was a violent, unprovoked and sustained attack on security staff who were doing their job to protect customers and ensure their safety. Our thoughts are with the victims and the people who feared for their lives on the night.

“The city is a great place to socialise and attacks like this are thankfully rare. But if you come into the City with violent intent we will bring you to justice.

“The nature of the assault carried out by Huckerby shows that he has a vicious and dangerous streak to him and the best place for him is in a prison cell.”

Various staff members and customers threw items at Huckerby to prevent further attacks. Huckerby was soaked in blood when he was arrested outside the hotel by City of London Police officers.

Daniel Lessie said in his victim impact statement:

“I have suffered with the trauma from that incident every day. When I saw the suspect again, I re-lived the moment he attacked me, to the point it was hard to control my emotions. It also impacted me that the suspect stated he couldn’t remember the incident at all, it was as if the only ones suffering from re-living that moment were the victims and witnesses.

“I have suffered with spates of depression post this incident, with friends contacting me and worrying about my wellbeing. I would be checked up on by my friends daily even some days twice a day depending on how I presented.

The time of the incident it is a busy month for security staff with lots of opportunity to earn extra income, and the incident prevented me from earning extra income and caused me to lose half my salary whilst on sick leave. I was struggling for a period of 6-9 months just to keep my head above water. I struggled to pay rent and other bills, causing me to run into a debt.”

The assault was captured clearly by CCTV and used to convict Huckerby of his crimes.