KNIFE-DARE KILLER JAILED
Victim said being stabbed was ‘good crack’ as ‘banter’ led to him being fatally injured by wound to the heart
AmanwhokilledaformersoldierfromWearsideina“dare” that went fatally wrong has been jailed for more than seven years.
Craig Guy, 34, died from stab wounds at The Beacon, a centre for homeless veterans in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, on April 13.
MrGuywasfromWashington, and had also lived in the SouthwickareaofSunderland.
Ian McLaughlin, 52, of Marne Road, Catterick Garrison, was charged with Mr Guy’s murder.
McLaughlin’s manslaughter plea was accepted by prosecutors at Teesside Crown Court.
Prosecutor Nick Lumley QC told the court the two men were friends.
“They and a group had gathered in the defendant’s flat,” said Mr Lumley.
“The defendant, who had been discharged from the army,hadwronglytoldhisfriend he had cancer, and had little time to live.
“Later in the evening, Mr Guy picked up a 12cm bladed knifeandaskedthedefendant what it was for.
“The defendant said its purpose was to stab Mr Guy, a comment none of those present took seriously.
“In what witnesses describe as ‘banter’, Mr Guy dared the defendant to stab him.”
Reading from a witness statement, Mr Lumley said: “He stuck it into the left part of Craig’s chest, and took it straight out, it was all very quick. Craig held his chest, then I saw some blood.
“Craigwasstillstoodup,he was laughing, and said ‘good crack’ . It was all very weird.”
Another witness said Mr Guy seemed ‘joyous’ about what had happened.
He thanked McLaughlin, shook his hand, and said he had ‘real respect’ for him.
The court was told the knife travelled through Mr Guy’s chest and rib cartilage, fatally piercing his heart.
McLaughlinwasheavilyintoxicated when arrested.
When sober enough to be interviewed, he told police he had only intended to “prick” Mr Guy’s chest.
The Recorder of Middlesbrough,JudgeSimonBourneArton QC, jailed McLaughlin for seven years and four months.
Speakingafterthehearing, Detective Chief Inpsector AndreaKell,oftheClevelandand NorthYorkshireMajorInvestigation Team, said: “McLaughlin has been jailed for more thansevenyears,butforCraig Guy’s family the sentence will never end.
“He was taken from them suddenly in the most cruel way.
“CraigthoughtMcLaughlin was his friend, he introduced McLaughlin to his family only days before his death.”