Bristol pair jailed for knife attack on 18-year-old, who was later stabbed to death

Two men have been jailed after an 18-year-old was injured in an attack in Eastville. Rioul Scharschmidt and Romaine Mullings, both of Bristol, were charged in January 2023 with the attack.

Attack victim Dontae Davis was later stabbed and killed in a separate incident later that year. Scharschmidt and Mullings were found guilty at Bristol Crown Court in March after a trial and sentenced yesterday (May 9). Scharschmidt, 21, was convicted of wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for wounding with intent, with two years to run concurrently for possession of an offensive weapon. He will serve 44 months in custody before being released on licence.

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Mullings, 20, was found guilty of wounding without intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He was jailed for 20 months for wounding without intent and 18 months to run concurrently for possession of an offensive weapon.

Mullings was also sentenced to consecutive terms of six months for dangerous driving and eight months for possession with intent to supply cannabis in connection with a separate incident in September 2023.

Of a total of 34 months, he will serve 17 months before being released. Mullings was also disqualified from driving for 29 months and must take an extended test at the end of that time.

Judge Edward Burgess said he took into account the ages of the youths, who were 18 and 17 at the time. The defense offered Scharschmidt’s mitigation that he left school at 16 and was the main carer for his disabled mother at that young age, also re-entering society by volunteering for the charity Barnardo’s.

Mullings, who was just 17 at the time, had no previous convictions and had been stabbed. HHJ Burgess said both men stabbed Dontae Davis during the incident in May 2021. He said: “Rio Scharschmidt you stabbed him a number of times and intended to cause him very serious harm. Romaine Mullings stabbed him at least once, and the jury decided you didn’t. it does not mean to cause significant harm.”

He said both Mullings and Scharschmidt were in possession of what he described as “scary” knives, while Dontae also had a knife. He added: “It is a depressing feature of this case that young people like you seem to have such little regard for your life and the lives of others.”

HHJ Burgess told Scharschmidt that even at that time – only 18 years old – he was not of good character. He said Mullings, although of good character at the time of the attack, had since been convicted of possession of a machete and drug offences.

When police and ambulance crews arrived following 999 calls about the attack in Gloucester Street, they found Dontae Davis still had a knife stuck in his shoulder.

He was also stabbed in the head, abdomen and buttocks, but despite requiring hospital treatment, his injuries were not life-threatening.

Scharschmidt and Mullings were arrested later that day after presenting themselves to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. Scharschmidt had a knife wound to his upper back, while Mullings had injuries to his neck and arm.

Tragically, despite surviving this attack, Dontae died just months later after being stabbed again in a separate incident in October of that year. His killer is serving a nine-year prison sentence for manslaughter.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender said: “Rioul Scharschmidt and Romaine Mullings may have thought they were getting away with this brutal attack. We are glad that they are finally reaping the consequences of their decision to carry and use knives.

“Carrying a knife is not the norm, it will not keep you safe and the impact of committing this type of crime is huge, not only for the victim and their loved ones, but for young offenders and their families and the wider community. .

“I hope this outcome will help bring some comfort to Dontae’s family and friends as they continue to come to terms with his loss.”

In an impact statement read to the court, Dontae’s mother Niquae described her family’s experience since his death as “harrowing”.

She said she felt justice had now been done, adding: “Happiness doesn’t come at this moment. I’d say it’s more of a peace of mind knowing these criminals are off the street…I wish for the world’s sake that this time it will have a massive impact on your life…and you’ll come out of it with something positive to offer society, rather than how you started. If not, I fear for both mothers. Maybe one day, if you don’t make positive choices, you’ll end up where Dontae is, I hope you really think about the things I’m saying and take every word to heart.”

Niquae had this message for young people who might choose to carry knives: “The choices you make run deep as they run through your family and the hearts of everyone you love.”