Man admits stabbing during houseparty struggle
Thursday, 12 June 2008
A 46-year-old man accused of a stabbing at a houseparty in Ballee dramatically admitted his guilt last week when he was offered the chance to plead to a less serious charge.
Cyril Hamilton, whose address was given as Tobar Park in Cullybackey, had been on trial, charged with causing GBH with intent to Robert Donnelly in the early hours of August 26, 2006.
During the five day hearing the jury had heard claim and counterclaim after a Shanowen houseparty turned into a bloody struggle.
Mr Donnelly was stabbed once in the chest while the defendant suffered a head wound which bled freely - one police officer described how Hamilton's face was so covered in blood "you couldn't see it" - and a deep laceration around the hand which severed a tendon.
However, despite giving his evidence in chief before lunch on Monday and repeatedly denying having a knife or stabbing the victim, he surprised the courtroom by admitting simple GBH after the recess.
The lesser charge carries with it a maximum sentence of five years, compared to life for GBH with intent
Following lunch and subsequent negotiations between the teams of lawyers, defence counsel Billy McCrory QC announced that they had "reached a decision where the matter can now be disposed of".
