Philip Darby was due to go on trial accused of attempted murder at Liverpool Crown Court today in relation to the incident
Police at the scene at Beech Rise in Kirkby
A man has admitted stabbing his neighbour in the face and neck at a block of flats. Emergency services were called to Beech Rise on Roughwood Drive in Kirkby in May this year following reports of an incident inside the building.
Paramedics subsequently transported an injured man in his 60s to hospital via ambulance, where he was reported to be in a serious but stable condition. A second male was meanwhile arrested at the scene and taken to a police station for questioning.
Philip Darby, of Beech Rise, was later charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident. The 62-year-old had been due to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court today, Monday.
But Anthony O’Donohoe, defending, asked for his client to be rearraigned this afternoon. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey prison issue jumper and sporting short dark receding hair, Darby pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of wounding with intent.
This plea was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service, and he will now not face a jury on the charge of attempted murder. Graham Pickavance, prosecuting, said of this: “In the circumstances of this case, the crown are prepared to accept the plea to section 18 as an alternative to the count of attempted murder.”
Darby’s plea was entered on a basis that there had been a “previous history of police complainants by the defendant”, who “accepts causing the injuries but says it was done in excessive self-defence”.
Mr Pickavance added in this regard: “There has been a history of complaints.
“As far as excessive self-defence is concerned, the crown say that he may have believed he was acting in excessive self-defence, but five marks are made by the knife and that takes it beyond excessive self-defence. That is where we differ.”
Judge Stuart Driver KC said that he would be “prepared to sentence on the basis that it may have begun as excessive self-defence, but that the most serious injuries were inflicted during an attack”.
Mr O’Donohoe replied: “There were five injuries, but, clearly, the injuries to the neck and the wound to the face are the most serious by far. He wishes to know his fate as soon as possible.”
Darby, who has a previous conviction for possession of a bladed article in a public place, will now be sentenced December 12, being further remanded into custody until this date.
Adjourning the case, Judge Driver said: “You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence. There will be a substantial sentence of imprisonment.
“I have ordered a pre-sentence report to consider whether you are a dangerous offender. You will be sentenced on the 12th of December. Until then, you are remanded in custody.”
Residents told the ECHO at the time of the incident, at around 12.45pm on May 8, that they saw “blood everywhere” in the aftermath, with ‌the entrance to the block of flats being cordoned off as Merseyside Police carried out investigations. It is understood that the violent altercation arose out of a dispute between the residents of neighbouring properties in the area.
Detective Inspector Steve Byrom previously said: “We understand the concern that recent incidents in Knowsley have caused in the community. I want to assure people that extensive work is ongoing to investigate this incident. We will continue to respond to all information given, both in relation to this incident and all knife crime, so please come forward.”