Knifeman jailed for NINE years after almost killing victim in violent South Shields attack

Michael Wilson and his partner were staying at a flat on Whiteleas Way, South Shields, a few days before Christmas last year when trouble flared with John Spedding, who was accused of making advances towards the woman.

Newcastle Crown Court heard in the violence that followed, Wilson inflicted three knife wounds in Mr Spedding's chest, punched and then kicked him down a flight of concrete stairs and caused "almost fatal" injuries.

The court heard Mr Spedding had to undergo an emergency tracheostomy while on his way to hospital by ambulance, which meant a tube was inserted into a hole made in his neck to allow him to breathe.

Once at hospital, he needed open heart surgery.

Judge Edward Bindloss told Wilson: "The injuries to him were so severe that in the ambulance, before had even got to hospital, an emergency tracheostomy had to take place.

"Expert evidence before the court is that that procudure saved Mr Spedding's life, but for that he would have died.

"At the hospital he underwent open heart surgery as well.

"He was in hospital for a week."

Prosecutor Jolyon Perks told the court it was in the early hours of the morning that the two men "fell into dispute" over a suggestion Mr Spedding had made "advances" towards Wilson's girlfriend.

Mr Perks said: "Spedding produced a knife he had brought to the flat earlier.

"The defendant took the knife from him and used it to stab Mr Spedding three times."

Mr Perks said Wilson forcefully pushed and punched the injured Mr Spedding out of the flat and then kicked him in the back.

He added: "This sent him stumbling down the concrete stairs before coming to rest, bleeding heavily, on the ground floor area."

The court heard Wilson then dragged Mr Spedding into the street outside and left the area.

Emergency services arrived at the scene and initially struggled to find Mr Spedding's pulse before he was taken to hospital.

Wilson, 30, of no fixed address, admitted wounding with intent on the basis he used excessive self defence.

He also admitted unrelated charges of shoplifting and an offence of affray in relation to him throwing rocks and stones at a group of males on Hedgeley Road, Hebburn, in April 2018 and hitting a pregnant woman in the stomach with one of the missiles.

The victim was left bruised and anxious about her unborn baby.

During the incident, Wilson hit the victim's male friend, who tried to intervene, with a stick and caused fractures to his arm.

Gavin Doig, defending, said Wilson is remorseful and has taken steps to address his behaviour.

Mr Doig said Wilson's previous convictions for violence were from when he was a teenager and added: "He doesn't regard himself as a violent lad".

The court heard Wilson had sent a letter of apology to the court, explaining how he had sought help to wean himself off drugs and focus on a better future.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Shields Gazette website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.