Man reacted to attack by brandishing knife
4IN BLADE WAS USED TO THREATEN ASSAILANT
A MAN appeared in court for making threats with a knife after he had been attacked himself.
Stephen Cowley, who had previously served a jail term and was out on licence, was knocked out after he was assaulted at a block of flats in Whitley Bay in November
He was thrown to the floor by another man and stamped on, losing consciousness, it was said at Newcastle Crown Court.
When he came to, he armed himself with a knife with a 4in blade and started making threats.
Police arrived and found him on a landing, brandishing the weapon and shouting aggressively at his attacker. Now Cowley, 31, of Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, has been jailed again after he pleaded guilty to threatening another with a bladed article.
Prosecutor Jemima Stephenson told the court police received reports of a disturbance at the block of flats at 10.40pm on November 6.
Before officers arrived, there had been an argument between Cowley and another resident.
The argument escalated and both were behaving aggressively, the prosecutor said.
The resident threw him to the floor and stamped on his head, knocking him out, the court heard. “When the defendant came to, he armed himself with a knife,” said Miss Stephenson. “Police arrived and saw him standing on the landing with a knife. There were cuts to his scalp and forehead. Other residents appeared panicked.”
The resident accused of attacking Cowley was charged with actual bodily harm and is due to stand trial next year.
Mark Harrison, for Cowley, said Cowley was “put out cold” after he was stamped on.
He added: “His behaviour cannot be excused by that which happened before. But the graphic nature of the assault upon him certainly plays a part in his judgement and his reaction.
“What we can say is that when police arrive, whilst he did not immediately drop the knife, he sinks to his knees and places his hands above his head. “Nobody is hurt with the knife. “The defendant was placed into police custody.
“The matter came to a swift end.”
He further said Cowley had “complicated and significant mental health difficulties”.
The court heard that Cowley had previously been in prison for attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, and was on licence when this offence took place.
Recorder Mark Giuliani sentenced him to 10 months in jail.