Teen locked up for stabbing homeless man twice in buttocks after downing vodka and 60 valium tablets

Adam Purcell, 18, chased Kevin Aitken for around 20 minutes before he managed to plunge a knife into his buttocks twice, for no reason.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was only "good fortune" Mr Aitken did not die as the blade missed major blood vessels.

Purcell, of Epinay Walk, Jarrow, who has previous convictions for violence, admitted wounding with intent and having a bladed article.

Recorder Nicholas Lumley QC sentenced him to four years in a young offenders institution and told him: "You were intent on attacking him.

"With what was a fearful knife, you stabbed him twice to the buttocks.

"The court has experience of knife injuries to that part of the body leading to almost immediate death.

"If the wrong blood vessel is cut, there's an immediate and catastrophic loss of blood and the person dies.

"It's a matter of pure good fortune you did not kill that homeless man."

The court heard it was shortly before 1am one night last September that Purcell and a youth encountered Mr Aitken outside Haymarket Metro station Newcastle.

Alec Burns, prosecuting, said the victim was tailed around the city centre and was shouted at from time to time.

In the area of Grey's Monument, he tried to circle away from them.

Mr Burns said: "Mr Aitken said he was going home, not that he has one.

"On Grainger Street, the defendant followed him and threw something in his face."

Mr Aitken ran across the road and tried to hide behind two people then tried to seek refuge in a shop, but it was closed.

As he tried to hide behind a man, Purcell managed to swing a knife and stab him once in each buttock.

Police were called and Purcell was found to be in possession of a knife and ammonia.

Mr Burns said: "He was interviewed and said he was homeless. He said he had taken 60 valium and drunk a bottle of vodka and couldn't remember anything. He denied stabbing him."

Steven Reed, defending, said: "He has no recollection of it, he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

"He was homeless and suffering from an a impulsive, chaotic lifestyle and he has learning difficulties, all of which was aggravated by his drug addiction.

"The knife he had, he was carrying for the purposes of self-harm. He has a long history of self-harming.

"He had ammonia because he was addicted to crack cocaine and had it to bake the crack cocaine."

Mr Reed added that Purcell is "psychologically damaged".

He said he was put in care but chose to be homeless rather than remain there.

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