A man faces a lengthy jail sentence after being found guilty of attempting to murder a stranger during a night out in Altrincham. Nathan Peters, 23, was convicted by a jury following an attack in which Max Morrison was stabbed four times.
Prosecutors said Peters' victims 'just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time'. The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday, November 30 last year.
Series of Attacks
Peters had already pleaded guilty to assaulting three other people before the trial. He admitted 'slashing' the face of Harrison Brannan, punching Marvin-Jay Speakman, and pushing his partner Melissa Mellor to the floor in the town centre.
The court heard that the incident began after Peters left Tiki bar in the town. He proceeded to punch Mr Speakman and push Ms Mellor, causing her to fall. Peters admitted assaulting the pair, occasioning actual bodily harm.
Trial Details
Shortly after, Peters came into contact with Mr Morrison, Mr Brannan, and one of their friends. Mr Brannan told police, in a video interview played to the court, that he saw Peters and Mr Morrison fighting after looking up from his phone.
Peters stabbed Mr Morrison 'several times', and slashed the face of Mr Brannan 'who was intervening in order to try and stop Nathan Peters from stabbing Max Morrison anymore', jurors were told. Mr Morrison collapsed nearby and went into cardiac arrest. Peters was detained by police a short time later.
Prosecution Case
Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson told the trial: "The defendant, apparently himself on a night out, carried out a series of unprovoked attacks on people who had no connection with him and just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Mr Dickinson said: "The defendant was carrying a knife before attacking Mr Morrison. He had covered his face with a balaclava. There can be no doubt that he was intent on serious violence. There are four stab wounds to Mr Morrison."
Peters, of Lock Lane, Partington, was found guilty of attempting to murder Mr Morrison. He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent in relation to Mr Brannan and admitted two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to Mr Speakman and Ms Mellor. Peters is due to be sentenced on December 17.
