SENTENCE on a man who has admitted stabbing a fellow resident at a hostel for homeless men has been delayed until the New Year.

Dean Williams, 23, admitted charges of wounding with intent, damaging property and possessing a knife or sharply-bladed object in public, at a previous hearing at Durham Crown Court.

It followed an incident at the premises on Great North Road, Plawsworth, near Chester-le-Street, formerly known as The Cyrenians hostel, but now called Changing Lives, on Monday May 12 this year.

Williams was said to have entered the victim’s room at some point after midnight armed with a knife, having used the premise of asking him if he was able to repair a damaged mobile phone in order to gain access.

But, once in the room, he made allegations that the victim had shown hostility to a third party, and stabbed him, once in the wrist, while the other wound was in the shoulder or lower neck area.

Williams then damaged furnishings in the room before being apprehended by police nearby, still in possession of the knife.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said sentence was to have been imposed at a hearing in August, but it was adjourned to await the outcome of further medical treatment required to the victim’s injuries, as it was feared he may have suffered potential long-term nerve damage affecting the raising of the injured arm.

“Additional evidence is still awaited as to the medical outcome, as it is understood he underwent some sort of further surgical procedure only last Thursday.

“Further medical evidence is awaited over potential complications and the damage affecting the shoulder area.

“The information I’ve been given is that he can’t be here today and the prognosis remains ‘uncertain’,” added Mr Towers.

Judge Christopher Prince said the injured man should be given the opportunity to attend court to hear the outcome of proceedings and to have the chance to read his victim impact statement in person to the hearing, prior to sentence.

Joe Hedworth, for Williams, said as a result of the latest offence, the defendant has remained in custody on re-call to serve an outstanding part of a previous sentence.

Judge Prince adjourned the hearing until Monday, January 26, but warned Williams that is likely to be a lengthy sentence, given the vulnerability of the victim being alone in his room at the time.

Williams, whose address was given as The Cyrenians, will remain in custody pending sentence.