Date: 28 Oct 2006 18:11:55
From:
Subject: Junkie brutally attacks friend for drinking from favorite coffee mug
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http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/thejournal/regional/tm_headline=attack-sparked-by-coffee-mug&method=full&objectid=18005998&siteid=50081-name_page.html
Attack sparked by coffee mug 28 2006
By Daniel Cochlin, The Journal
A heroin addict who stabbed and kicked his flatmate in the head and
tied him up with bed sheets because he found him drinking from his
favourite mug was jailed yesterday.
Shaun Sweet had been drinking heavily and had also taken heroin and
valium when he arrived home to his flat in George Street, Ashington,
Northumberland, on April 7 this year.
When he walked through the front door, he spotted friend Rory Douglas
drinking from his coffee mug. Flying into a rage, he knocked the victim
over the back of his sofa, before kicking and punching him, Newcastle
Crown Court heard.
Mr Douglas's terrified girlfriend Melanie Copeland tried to restrain
the attacker, but was sent flying by the grappling pair - wounding her
eye. The court heard that Sweet, a convicted robber with a violent
record, battered the victim with the mug before walking into the
kitchen and picking up a knife. He then held it against Mr Douglas's
throat, before plunging in twice into the back of his head.
Alec Burns, prosecuting, told the court: "The defendant picked his mug
up and hit Mr Douglas with it. He was unable to defend himself. The
defendant took a small kitchen knife.
"Holding it against the victim's neck, he said `should I slice it?' He
didn't, but stabbed him twice in the back of the head. The knife
snapped, presumably because of the impact with Mr Douglas's skull."
Mr Douglas had to have the back of his head stapled. The court heard
that Sweet went into the bedroom and fetched bed sheets, tied up his
bleeding victim, and told him he was going to leave him there over the
weekend. Ms Copeland managed to phone 999, and Sweet seemed to change
his mind. Mr Burns added: "The defendant said `what am I doing?', and
he untied Mr Douglas and helped him into the shower to wash his
wounds."
The police then arrived and arrested Sweet. On the eve of his trial at
Newcastle Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.
Andy Rutter, defending, said Sweet, who has appeared in court 21 times
for 71 offences, had developed a severe personality disorder because of
his difficult lifestyle.
He added: "The offence was committed under the influence of alcohol,
valium and heroin - it was a rather potent cocktail."
Jailing Sweet for 21 months, Judge David Hodson said: "It is a miracle
that the injuries are not as serious as they might have been."
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