Knife teen hunted and stabbed homeless man
VICTIM WAS FOLLOWED AROUND CITY CENTRE
A HOMELESS man was hunted down and stabbed by a spaced-out teenager in a shocking attack.
Adam Purcell had consumed a bottle of vodka and 60 Valium tablets when he picked on Kevin Aitken in Newcastle city centre for no reason.
For 20 minutes he pursued him around the town as the frightened victim tried to get away from his tormentor.
Finally, as he tried to hide behind a passer-by, 18-year-old Purcell reached around and knifed him twice in the buttocks.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was only good fortune Mr Aitken did not die as the blade missed major blood vessels.
Recorder Nicholas Lumley QC told Purcell: “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.”
It was shortly before 1am one night last September that Purcell and a youth encountered Mr Aitken outside Haymarket Metro station.
Alec Burns, prosecuting, said the victim was followed around the city centre and shouted at.
In the area of Grey’s Monument, he tried to circle away from them.
Purcell, of Epinay Walk, Jarrow, was heard shouting “give me your stuff or I’m going to do something”.
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.”
Purcell, who has three previous convictions for carrying knives or weapons, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and having a bladed article. He was sent to a young offenders’ institution for four years.