A man who stabbed a fellow holidaymaker in a fit of rage at a North Yorkshire resort has been jailed for four and a half years.
Joshua Donnelly, 22, was sentenced for wounding with intent at York Crown Court today (Friday).
The incident happened at Flamingo Land Resort, Kirby Misperton, near Pickering, just after 1am on Thursday 18 September last year.
Donnelly, of Duxford Road, Middlesbrough, was staying at the resort with his partner.
He left his caravan in anger following a domestic dispute. He took with him a four-inch knife from the kitchen drawer.
A holidaymaker from a nearby caravan had gone for a walk to get some fresh air. He saw Donnelly shouting at his partner outside his caravan and intervened, to try to calm the situation.
Donnelly called him an offensive name, telling him “you’re f***ed now, you’re going to die” and stabbed him three times in his abdomen.
The 38-year-old from the Scottish Borders, who was staying with his family, had to be rushed to hospital by ambulance for emergency surgery due to a punctured colon.
With police officers heading to the crime scene, Donnelly made off from Flamingo Land.
Following extensive enquiries, a car he was travelling in was stopped by officers over the Cleveland Police border later that day.
Donnelly was arrested and taken into custody in Scarborough for questioning.
Crucially, a gardener at the holiday park located the knife which had been discarded in bushes.
It was forensically linked to Donnelly and the victim.
Key evidence was also gathered from a several witnesses and CCTV covering the area.
Donnelly was charged and appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on 20 September where he was remanded in custody due to the seriousness of the offence and the risk he posed to the public.
Police Investigator Liberty Ashton, from Scarborough and Ryedale CID, said: “Due to the overwhelming evidence stacked against Joshua Donnelly, he was left with very little option but to plead guilty to this terrible, vicious offence that could so easily have taken an innocent man’s life.
“Despite surviving the unprovoked knife attack, it has had a huge, long-term effect on the victim and his family. They have had to learn to live with everything that this senseless violent act has left behind.
“I really hope the outcome at court provides them with some comfort and strength to move forward with their lives.”
‘I have not slept ’
The victim of the crime shared the impact it has had on him and his family in a statement to the court.
“Whilst on holiday at the park we had a great time, I was there with my partner, my son, and my brother along with his family,” he said.
“What was a family holiday has turned into a nightmare, not only for myself but my wider family too. Since the incident happened back in September, my whole family has been affected in some sort of way.
“My son, who is 15 years old, hasn’t been the same since. I worry about him. He has become a lot quieter; he used to be social and go out with his friends often. Since the incident happened, he hardly goes out with friends any more, he is terrified.
“My son hasn’t been at school since; he now completes work given to him from home. I don’t want him having to worry and want him to get back to being a teenager, it’s been difficult.
“My brother and his family who were away with us have been impacted massively by what they experienced. I have been blaming myself for this and for going to their caravan.
Both my parents have been impacted since the incident; they have been full of worry. My mum’s health has deteriorated massively since, which has been an additional concern that we have all had to deal with.
“In terms of myself, I feel my life has changed completely and I have struggled dealing with what has happened. Talking about this now, has put a lump in my throat, and I never used to be a crier.
“I have been through a lot in life however this has knocked me, I have never experienced anything like this. I never would have imagined I would have.
“It’s been hard and I have a lot I still need to deal with. My mental health because of the incident has massively declined.
“I haven’t wanted to be around people which has not only affected my personal relationships but my ability to maintain my employment. I would describe it as mental torture.
“Because of my injuries, my nerves in my right leg have been damaged meaning it’s a lot weaker and different to what it was. I am self-conscious of the way I walk now, which I think is a big part of why I struggle to socialise.
“I could not get upstairs in our home for over a month. We had to get a bed for the living room, and my partner slept downstairs beside me on the sofa in case I needed her through the night.
“We got a bath board for me; I had to be washed by my partner due to not being capable of doing so myself. It was horrible. I remember the first time I showered alone, I cried as it was such a big moment for me.
“Despite no longer being on medication, the mental toll and long-term physical effects will be something I will carry with me for the foreseeable.
“I have not slept decently since the stabbing; my mind plays the events repeatedly. I relive it.”
