Man awaits sentence for stabbing workmate

A 52-year-old English man who stabbed a colleague during a drunken argument perforating his bowel will be sentenced later by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Michael White said it was a very serious matter to produce a knife to a friend or colleague and the defendant was fortunate that the victim did not suffer more a serious injury up to and including death.

Steve Warburton, from Halifax in West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to assaulting James Manly causing him harm on Talbot Street on January 16, 2003.

Both English men were contracted to install escalators in a Dublin department store and had been drinking with colleagues after work.

Detective Garda John O’Donovan told Paul Carroll BL, prosecuting, that an argument broke out between the two men and Warburton produced a knife which he used in the course of his job. He stabbed Mr Manly wounding his shoulder and left side.

Mr Manly was treated in hospital for a superficial wound to his shoulder which required two stitches and a perforated bowel which needed surgery. He was released from hospital nine days later. He suffered a loss of €5,000 in earnings.

Warburton was stopped by gardaí at Dublin Airport and arrested. He has ten previous convictions in England for road traffic and theft offences.

Sean Gillane BL, defending, said his client had remained in Ireland since 2005 in relation to the charge which has had serious consequences for his personal and professional life and his marriage had broken down.

Mr Gillane said a considerable amount of alcohol had been consumed by all parties and Warburton had €1,300 available as a token of remorse to Mr Manly.

Judge White said Warburton was lucky to not have faced a much more serious charge and said: "I am surprised that a man of your age involved yourself in this activity".

Judge White also expressed surprise that Warburton had not made more of a substantial effort in relation to compensation and indicated he would make an order to pay €10,000 to the victim on the sentence date.