The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
19-year-old locked up for stabbing his gran in hand with a fork
A GRANDSON left his gran with a fork deeply embedded in her hand after stabbing her during a dinnertime row.
Conna Hardy had a history of abusing his gran and called her a “slave b***h” and threw a plate at her the day before the attack.
As Hardy and other members of the family were eating dinner at the victim’s home in Whitley Bay, he took a piece of food out of his mouth and put it on his teenage sister’s plate.
His gran put it back on his plate, Hardy put it back on his sister’s plate and a row blew up.
Newcastle Crown Court heard he then made a concerted effort to stab his gran in the palm with a fork and eventually succeeded.
As the 19-year-old was locked up, his victim outlined how she has been left terrified by the attack.
She said in a statement read to the court: “The physical injuries I sustained have left scarring and cause discomfort due to cramp.
“Mentally the attack has caused me considerable distress. I suffer nightmares and have trouble sleeping.
“I want no further contact with Conna Hardy, despite him being my grandson.
“I’m genuinely scared if I see him again, he will physically attack me and cause me serious injury.”
The court heard Hardy was living with his gran, who was also being visited by his young sister in February.
Nick Lane, prosecuting, said: “The complainant had a difficult relationship with the defendant, he was frequently abusive towards her.
“The day before this, he walked into the kitchen when she was washing dishes and threw a plate towards her and said ‘wash that you f ****** slave b **** .”
The following day they were having dinner when he took food from his mouth and put it on his sister’s plate.
Mr Lane said: “His gran removed it and put it on the defendant’s plate but he put it back.”
Hardy told his gran: “Don’t do that again or I will stab you” and threw a bone at her.
The court heard he then made several attempts to stick his fork in her palm, which he eventually succeeded in doing.
He then said: “I told you not to push me too far.”
The victim was left with the fork “deeply embedded” in her left hand and was taken to hospital, where it was removed by medics.
Hardy told police she had fallen and landed on the fork.
However the 19-year-old, of Cliffe Court, Whitley Bay, pleaded guilty to wounding.
Recorder David Brooke QC locked him up for 15 months and imposed an indefinite restraining order.
Mark Harrison, defending, said: “He accepts responsibility for causing the injury.
“He doesn’t seek to undermine his grandmother’s fear or anxiety.
“He has been in custody for 201 days and during that time his presentation and mental health has improved significantly.”
A NEW series of walks has been launched with the hope of encouraging families to follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrimages.
The Northern Saints Trails, made up of six new walking routes across the North East, were unveiled at Durham Cathedral, itself a traditional place of pilgrimage.
The range of walks, extending as far north as Northumberland and south to Hartlepool, follow the journeys made by the region’s saints.
They are expected to appeal to anyone, whether looking for personal spirituality, peace, tranquillity or just some exercise, and can be dipped into for short sections or enjoyed long-distance.
Based on ancient pilgrimage routes, the idea of the walks is to bring the saints’ stories alive while showcasing the best of our landscapes,
heritage, attractions and food and drink to visitors exploring the region on a staycation.
And with more than 500 businesses and venues featuring along the routes, they are also set to help boost the local economy still recovering from the pandemic.
The launch of the Northern Saints Trails coincided with that of a new ‘passport scheme’ that is similarly encouraging visitors to
seek out local attractions, where they can collect stamps as a record of their visit.
As well as the cathedral, these include The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle and Hexham Abbey in Northumberland.
Unveiling the walks, Ivor Stolliday, chairman of Visit County Durham, said: “Not only do they bring the ancient pilgrimage routes to life for the modern visitor but the
trails will have an extremely positive impact on our visitor economy – enhancing our authentic tourism offer and cementing the North East’s reputation as a destination to make a pilgrimage to, at a time when consumers are searching for new experiences.”
The initiative is also being seen as a boost to Durham’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025.
The Northern Saints Trails cover 205 miles across eight local authority areas.
Here is how they are described: The Way of Light – Heavenfield/hexham-durham Transporting walkers from the dawn of Christianity through to contemporary pilgrimage via Dark Ages battles that changed a region’s faith and abbeys that matched Rome for majesty.
The Way of Love – Hartlepooldurham Following the influence of three important female figures in the establishment of Christianity in England, whilst mixing maritime and mining heritage, as well as some nationally important nature reserves.
The Angel’s Way – Seaton Sluice-newcastle-gatesheadchester-le-street Traverse Tyneside, from a sandy seaside village to the site that once housed St Cuthbert’s remains, through a legacy of medieval magic and Industrial Age endeavour.
The Way of Life – Gainforddurham City Healing waters, one of England’s oldest churches and a palatial castle where Prince Bishops once resided, plus places where St Cuthbert made miracles occur.
The Way of Learning – Jarrowsunderland-durham Takes walkers on the trail of England’s original scholar, the Venerable Bede, through a rich legacy of the North East’s foremost industry, inventiveness, and innovation.
The Way of the Sea – Warkworth-north Shields A trail so epic it combines three others in its course, covering stunning coastline and crags, imposing castles and standout churches from Lindisfarne to Durham Cathedral.
The Reverend Canon Charlie Allen said: “Durham Cathedral came into being as a place in which pilgrims arriving at the Shrine of St Cuthbert were welcomed for prayer and hospitality.
“The six new Northern Saints Trails link contemporary pilgrims to the lives of the Northern Saints – Aidan, Cuthbert, Oswald, Hild and Bede.”
He added: “A warm welcome awaits, and we trust that pilgrims of all faiths and none will rejoice in that which is to be discovered on this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
Visit County Durham is also working with government officials in northwest Spain on an international route. The aim is to have a walk from Finchale Abbey to Durham Cathedral, and then to Escomb Church, south of Bishop Auckland, officially recognised as part of the Camino Ingles – The English Way.
For more information on the Northern Saints Trails go to http:// northernsaints.com/