Partygoer who stabbed man in face wins appeal against sentence

A man who stabbed a man in the face and back with a potato peeler at a party has won an appeal against his jail sentence.

Senior judges reduced the six-year term imposed on Dean Hassall for the drink and drugfuelled attack at a house in Bangor, Co Down by 12 months.

Mr Justice Maguire said his actions were premeditated, but held that the starting point in the sentencing process had been too high.

Earlier this year Hassall pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The 30-year-old had been present at a house party in the Bangor area when a row broke out between rival factions in the early hours of June 30, 2018.

Hassall, of an undisclosed address, was struck on the head before going to the kitchen to arm himself with a potato peeler.

Mobile phone footage then showed him lunge forward and stab a man twice at the front door of the property, the Court of Appeal heard. The victim sustained wounds through his upper lip and nose, as well as the chest area. Police were called and arrested Hassall in a taxi leaving the scene.

The trial judge sentenced him to six years — half to be served in custody and half on licence — after taking into account aggravating features and giving discount for the guilty plea. Defence lawyers challenged the term handed down, arguing that it was manifestly excessive.

Ruling on the appeal, Mr Justice Maguire stressed the need for deterrent sentences to “root out” unacceptable behaviour.

Rejecting claims that Hassall had been provoked by the earlier assault on him, the judge added: “His action was premeditated and not carried out in a blind rage or without consideration.”

However, he held that the starting point for the sentencing exercise should have been in a lower range. “The outcome accordingly is a determinate sentence of five years,” he confirmed. “As before, half of the sentence shall be in custody and half on licence.”