Bizarre reason man stabbed innocent victim outside Peterborough kebab shop

A detective said that the victim could have died if members of the public hadn’t stepped in to help him

A man has been sent to prison for a stabbing outside a kebab shop in Peterborough city centre – after another customer rang the bell on his e-scooter. Kris Stimson, 44, was at the takeaway in Fitzwilliam Street at about 2.30am on June 20, 2025, when he became enraged after hearing the bell.

Mistakenly believing it was the victim who had rung the bell, an argument ensued outside. He produced a knife and stabbed the man in the abdomen, before leaving the scene and discarding the weapon behind locked gates in Geneva Street.

Armed police found Stimson nearby and used incapacitant spray to arrest him. Members of the public tried to stem the victim’s bleeding, before paramedics arrived and he was taken to hospital, according to Cambridgeshire Police.

A cordon was put in place and officers recovered the weapon. While in custody, Stimson asked whether the man had died.

The victim underwent surgery and was placed in an induced coma. Hr required further treatment for several weeks before being discharged.

Stimson, of Greenham, Bretton, Peterborough, admitted assault causing grievous bodily harm without intent and possession of a knife in public. On Friday, August 28, at Cambridge Crown Court, Stimson was jailed for 16 months.

DC John Pentney said: “Stimson’s shocking actions were completely disproportionate for something as trivial as the bell being used on his scooter. Stabbing someone like this is extremely reckless and we could easily have been dealing with a murder investigation.

“I would like to commend the members of the public who stemmed the victim’s bleeding while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Their actions could well have contributed to him surviving.”