New drinking ‘friend’ is jailed for vicious attack
A MAN who was left ‘grateful to be alive’ after being attacked in his own home was saved by his quickthinking flatmate.
Michael Quinn, 20, has been jailed for his part in the terrifying incident at the victim’s home in Salford, after he and another man had been invited in during the early hours.
The victim left work and had been drinking with colleagues in Bierkeller and Albert’s Schloss, before meeting Quinn and his friend in another venue later.
They began to chat and the pair were later invited to his home for a drink.
But they later tried to rob him, and Quinn got two knives from the kitchen. His housemate overheard what was happening and alerted the police, who quickly arrived.
A judge said it was ‘inexplicable’ that Quinn, who is originally from Dublin, would commit such a serious offence having committed no convictions previously.
He was sentenced to five-and-ahalf years having admitted attempted robbery; and possessing cannabis.
Manchester Crown Court heard the victim spent the night at the city centre nightspots with colleagues after leaving work on December 5, 2019.
He was going home but decided to have one last drink, prosecutor Peter Warne said. He went to a bar near the Arndale. There he met Quinn and his friend, who he had not met before.
He invited the pair back to his home for a drink. He gave them both a can of lager, but shortly after he was pulled onto the bed and Quinn’s friend sat on him.
Quinn punched him in the face, which caused him to bleed from his mouth. Then Quinn went to the kitchen and got two knives.
Demands were made for money and his mobile phone.
The victim ‘pleaded’ with them, saying he didn’t have any money and just had bank cards.
The pair didn’t know the victim’s housemate was also in the flat, in another room.
He and his girlfriend then barricaded themselves in the bathroom and called the police, and officers arrived ‘very quickly.’
The victim suffered ‘minor injuries’ to his mouth, but was left psychologically scarred.
In a statement, he said he has moved house and had to find accommodation with a concierge and cameras for his peace of mind.
Telling how he feels ‘grateful to be alive,’ he said: “If the police hadn’t come in when they did, knowing they were considering sticking the knife in me, I could have lost my life.”
Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Dean QC said Quinn’s actions were ‘close to inexplicable.’
“What you did was, as you now I think understand, very serious indeed,” the judge said.