Charity worker jailed for stabbing (From The Northern Echo)
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Charity worker jailed for stabbing
5:42pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Stockton News
KNIFE ATTACK: Patrick Baldwin
A CHARITY worker who stabbed his sister's boyfriend when a family gathering turned violent has been jailed for seven years.
Patrick Baldwin knifed Shane Booth in the arm and thigh during the row at a birthday barbecue in Billingham last September.
The blade went through the muscle of Mr Booth's right bicep and into his chest, Teesside Crown Court was told yesterday.
The 30-year-old is scarred for life, suffers from sleepless nights and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
In a statement, he said he was in hospital for three days, endured a six-hour operation and his work had suffered.
Baldwin, 20, of Westbury Street, Thornaby, was said to be devastated by the effect his actions have had on both families.
His barrister, Peter Makepeace, said: "He wants me, and asks me, to publicly acknowledge in court his extreme sorrow and regret."
The court heard how Baldwin was a volunteer at a Stockton stables, where he helped the Riding for the Disabled charity.
Mr Makepeace said: "That is such an extraordinary contrast to this behaviour."
Judge John Walford told Baldwin, who admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm: "You have proved your value, but sadly the other side of you was displayed in this.
"I have to sentence you for what happened on this occasion, when what should have been a happy family event turned into a disaster.
"I am quite prepared to accept that your mother was threatened and that others behaved in an aggressive and provocative way.
"You became enraged, you vented your anger publicly, but not content with that, you then went into the house, seized this knife and used it with devastating effect.
"You chased Shane Booth and in the course of the chase he slipped and fell, and while he was helpless on the ground, in what was described as the foetal position, you attacked him.
"There has to be a sentence of some length to reflect the seriousness of what you have done, and, indeed, the public horror of those who resort to violence with weapons in this way."
