Kyle Cox, of Harebell Road, Oxford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, May 14.

The 23-year-old was charged after a stabbing at Northfield Close, near the junction with Alice Smith Square in the Littlemore area of Oxford, at around midnight on Thursday, December 11 last year.

Cox pleaded guilty to wounding Zachary Stone and having a Samurai sword in a public place.

The victim suffered serious injuries and was sent to hospital.

Alexandra Bushell, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Stone was in a relationship with Cox’s ex-girlfriend at the time of the attack.

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The crime scene at the time (Image: TVP)

Mr Stone was at her house and Cox was outside, shouting for her.

The court heard Mr Stone asked him to leave, which is when Cox’s mood changed.

He pulled out a Samurai sword and started to swing it around. He struck Mr Stone’s hip twice and then went for his face.

Mr Stone blocked this, but the top of his thumb was sliced off.

Ms Bushell told the court the victim was in ‘extreme pain’ and felt ‘dizzy and sick’.

The police were called and Cox was arrested the next morning.

Mr Stone was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington and had to have two blood transfusions and a metal plate inserted into his hip.

Ms Bushell then read out Mr Stone’s victim impact statement.

It said: “Since the incident, I have suffered physically and mentally. I have had three surgeries since the attack.

“The top part of my thumb was sliced off in the incident. The impact has been massive. I can no longer play the guitar which I enjoyed doing.

“I have been struggling with my emotions since the incident. I will have to manage and cope with the injuries for the rest of my life.”

The court heard that Cox has six previous convictions for seven offences, including a bladed article offence.

Ms Bushell said: “There was a significant degree of planning. It was a highly dangerous weapon. It caused a grave injury.”

Peter Du Feu, mitigating, said: “The defendant is hugely frustrated by what he has done.

“He’s had no support from mental health services in prison. He is absolutely clean of substances at the moment.

“This was a love rivalry, but to behave as he did was quite unforgivable. He responded very badly indeed.

“He is determined to bounce back from this.”

Judge Ian Pringle KC (Image: NQ)

Judge Ian Pringle KC said: “This was the use of a highly dangerous weapon.”

Cox was jailed for a total of six years.

He was given a restraining order against the victim until a further order is made.

An order was also made for the forfeiture of the Samurai sword.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ben Heath said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack in which a man was stabbed with a samurai-style sword. The offender brought the weapon with him and clearly intended to use it.

“As a result, the victim suffered multiple serious injuries, many of which he will have to live with for the rest of his life.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence. Thames Valley Police take crimes involving weapons extremely seriously, and this outcome demonstrates our ongoing commitment to removing dangerous offenders and weapons from our streets to help keep our communities safe.”

That is according to the National Pub & Bar Awards, which named The Bull in Charlbury as the National Pub & Bar of the Year 2025.

Judges praised the seventeenth‑century Cotswold inn for its “stripped‑back design”, “exceptional food” and “flawless service”.

The cosy town inn also features in the Michelin Guide and on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list.

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Inside The Bull. (Image: Newsquest)

Since reopening under new ownership in 2023, The Bull has developed a reputation as a celebrity hangout, with visits from stars living locally.

These have included Robbie Williams, Kate Moss, Jeremy Clarkson, and American television icon Ellen DeGeneres, among others.

Last summer, former US Vice President Kamala Harris also visited The Bull during the celebrations of Steve Jobs’ daughter Eve and her husband, Harry Charles.

Sir David Beckham also celebrated his knighthood at the end of last year at the watering hole, “taking over” the pub according to onlookers.

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Inside The Bull. (Image: Newsquest)

So what’s it really like? Is Chalrbury’s local really the best pub in the whole of the UK, or is that a load of old Bull?

I recently took a trip to the picturesque town to answer that question, or at the very least, enjoy a pint in the sun.

Greeted with glorious weather, the town looked like it was straight from a postcard, as the sun shone on the Cotswold stone buildings along winding streets.

Stepping inside The Bull felt like greeting an old friend. Despite having never set foot in the watering hole previously, it had a wonderfully familiar air to it.

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The fireplace at the Cotswolds pub. (Image: Newsquest)

The staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming, instantly setting me at ease and with some tangible excitement to see what all the fuss was about.

A quick look around the room sounded out a gorgeous fireplace, which must be quite the draw in the colder months, as well as a smattering of classic wooden tables and chairs.

All of this combined to execute the country inn aesthetic to perfection without the need to be over the top or to verge on the pretentious side, as you would expect from a celebrity haunt.

The Bull’s layout is humble, and therein lies its ultimate charm. Its familiarity, warmth and stylish design provide the perfect backdrop to any occasion.

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The bar at The Bull. (Image: Newsquest)

Whether it’s a business meal, a romantic date, a celebration, or a quiet and pondering drink alone, this pub can be all that and more when needed.

Strolling up to the bar in search of refreshment, my eyes were caught by the pride-of-place award from the year prior.

The Bull’s National Pub & Bar of the Year 2025 gong is displayed behind the taps, nestled between the spirit bottles on the back shelf.

A wide array of options is on offer in the Charlbury boozer, including, but not limited to, Guinness, Lucky Saint, Keller Pils and Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone.

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The Bull was named the best pub in the UK last year. (Image: Newsquest)

Hawkstone is one of the best lagers around these days, in my own humblest of opinions, so it was a fairly simple choice to pick the Cotswolds beer. When in Rome and all that.

Finding a cosy corner seat, I sat down with my pint and enjoyed watching the UK’s best pub in action as happy punters came and went and guests arrived to stay in the rooms above.

Just having a light bite for lunch, I ordered the signature Mince on Toast, and it arrived quickly thereafter for me to enjoy with the cool Hawkstone.

Despite having apprehensions, the staff assured me this was the option to go with, and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the savoury snack went down with a good pint.

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Mince on Toast at The Bull. (Image: Newsquest)

When compared with the hustle and bustle of Oxford, Charlbury had a refreshingly slower pace of life, which was reflected well in its premier pub.

The outside area allows room for even more guests, while there is also a second room behind the fireplace.

It was only a short stop in the UK’s best inn, but undoubtedly a pleasant one, which left me smiling like those before me.

Stepping outside into the Cotswolds sunshine, I enjoyed a full stroll of Charlbury before making my way home.

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The Cotswolds watering hole in full bloom. (Image: Newsquest)

Oxfordshire is blessed with an abundance of quality pubs, with the Cotswolds alone offering their fair share of historic watering holes.

The same can be said for my native Yorkshire and its jewel in the crown, York, which has one of the highest densities of pubs in the UK.

Therefore, it would be unfair of me to agree with The Bull’s crown wholeheartedly, but I have chosen to somewhat sit on the fence for once.

I can also see the appeal of what is a wonderful watering hole, with a stunning building, great location and pleasant staff, which all make it more than worth the visit.

A North Hinksey man has issued another urgent appeal in his bid to secure public rights of way status for two paths on the floodplain between North Hinksey and South Hinksey and near The Fishes pub.

‘Bulstake Path’ and ‘Cable Road’ in Hinksey were previously permissive paths between 2000 and 2011 which means they are private land but the landowner voluntarily allows it for public use.

But the landowner reportedly issued a declaration that unless the path can be shown to be public, it will no longer be accessible for anyone.

In 2024 campaigners collected 63 evidence statements from people who used the path for 20 years.

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The group collected an additional 11 evidence forms, seven of which showed the person had used the path for the full period of 1980 to 2000.

In March the council’s draft decision revealed the path would not be a right of way despite 36 people using the path before 1999.

Now, campaigners are trying to reach more residents to gather more evidence the path has been well used over the years.

If successful, the paths would be legally protected so landowners could not block or build across them, joining existing rights of way such as Willow Walk and another route from The Fishes pub towards Osney Mead Industrial Estate.

However, if the bid fails and people don’t come forward to say they used to walk on the path decades ago, the community would lose a pathway that is frequently used.