A man who stabbed a random hotel guest during a Valentine's Day trip to Newcastle has been jailed for four years and two months. Michael McLaughlin, 37, attacked the victim at the Roomzzz Aparthotel in Hanover Square on February 13.
McLaughlin, who was staying at the same hotel, knocked on the door of an engaged couple he did not know. When the man opened the door, McLaughlin tried to push into the room, claiming his girlfriend was inside. When the man resisted, McLaughlin pulled out a kitchen knife and stabbed him in the abdomen.
Attack caught on CCTV
Newcastle Crown Court heard that McLaughlin had obtained a knife from the hotel kitchen and was seen on CCTV "staggering around" the hallways trying random doors. Nicoleta Alistari, prosecuting, said: "[The victim] heard a knock at the door, his fiancée was in the shower, and he opened it to the defendant."
"The defendant tried to push into the room saying his girlfriend was inside. [The victim] put his hand out and the defendant tried to enter again. The defendant then pulled out a knife and stabbed [the victim] in the abdomen."
Victim hospitalised
The victim, who works offshore, was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary and underwent surgery. He remained in hospital for four days. In a victim statement, he said: "It is still hard to come to terms with how random and unprovoked the attack was."
McLaughlin, originally from Wallsend but now of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and wounding with intent. He appeared at court via link from HMP Durham.
Court hears of remorse
The court heard that McLaughlin had been drinking wine and had taken two Temazepam tablets before the attack and has no recollection of the incident. He had 14 previous convictions for 33 offences, including robbery, drug supply, stalking, criminal damage and harassment.
Peter Hunter, defending, said McLaughlin apologises to the victim and has "genuine remorse and empathy". He said: "He was not looking for a girl, he had a partner. He had moved out of the area due to previous convictions, went to Scotland, and came back to see family."
"He took what he thought were sleeping tablets. After the incident he went back to his room and lost consciousness before being taken to hospital. It was a one-off moment that was not under his control."
Sentencing, Judge Robert Adams said the stabbing was "inexplicable" but may have been due to what McLaughlin had "consumed". McLaughlin was jailed for four years and two months.
