ALCOHOLIC DRANK WHILE ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AND STABBED HIS BROTHER
An alcoholic who stabbed his brother in the chest after drinking while on medication has been jailed.Daniel O'Neil, who suffers from emotionally unstable personality disorder, attacked his older brother Gavin with a kitchen knife.
The incident took place at their shared home in Royd Street, Slaithwaite on February 21 this year.
Leeds Crown Court heard it was 'lucky' the victim survived the four-inch-deep wound to the right side of his chest.
The court was told that Daniel, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and having a bladed article in a public place.
He was on a course of anti-depressants and sleeping tablets when he drank between two to 14 cans of Carlsberg Special Brew lager.
He tried to punch his brother, and when the victim knocked him to the floor, Daniel picked up a knife and lunged at him.
Gavin managed to grab the knife, but Daniel armed himself with a larger one.
Gavin, who also had a wound to his elbow, sought refuge in Hill Top Stores opposite their home and called 999.
The defendant followed him and tried to get in several times.
Police attended the house and found the defendant on the sofa 'apparently calm' but with blood on his hands.
They found two knives and a razor blade in the living room.
Mr Ritchie, prosecuting, said the defendant had no memory of the incident, and the victim did not support the prosecution, so it is unclear how the argument started.
The 45-year-old, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and having a bladed article in a public place.
Her client had a 'very unhappy and abusive' childhood, resulting in addiction to alcohol, heroin, and other substances, as well as 'low self-esteem, depression and anxiety'.
She noted that he moved in with his brother in 2014, helping him with his drug use, and has been clean for four years.
Despite his struggles, he wants to return to live with his brother Gavin after his release.
Jailing him for four years and one month, Recorder Richard Woolfall said: "It's only luck really that your brother is still walking around and luck that he was not more seriously injured."
