Tony Abrahams stabbing: Teenager given 12 years
A teenage boy who took part in a burglary in which a Luton father was stabbed has been sentenced to 12 years in custody.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, was convicted of wounding Tony Abrahams, 48, last November.
He was cleared of attempted murder. His two accomplices have not been caught.
Passing the custodial sentence at Luton Crown Court, Judge Richard Foster ordered the boy to serve a further five years on licence.
He was also convicted of burgling the house.
'Vicious and merciless'
The judge said he was "a dangerous and defiant young man".
"I have no doubt you are a dangerous offender....you have shown no remorse or victim empathy," he said.
The court also heard the youth said he had wanted to be convicted of the attempted murder charge to make him look "bigger" in custody.
During his trial, the court heard Mr Abrahams was woken in the early hours of the morning by his 24-year-old daughter's screams and saw a man in a balaclava in his bedroom.
Going out on to the landing, he was confronted by the man and two other males.
Mr Abrahams was then stabbed, suffering a collapsed lung and a pierced bowel.
Judge Foster called it a "vicious and merciless" attack in which the victim had suffered "potentially life-threatening injuries".
"It is only good fortune that those stab wounds were not fatal," he said.
After the hearing, Mr Abrahams said he was pleased with the sentence.
"I am OK medically now but am still receiving counselling for post-traumatic distress," he said.