(Image: Northumbria Police)
A man stabbed a fellow hotel guest after knocking on his door while armed with a knife at night.
Michael McLaughlin has been jailed for the unprovoked attack on a fellow guest at a Newcastle hotel earlier this year.
In his impact statement, read to Newcastle Crown Court today (Tuesday October 6) the victim said: “What I find hardest to come to terms with is how random and unprovoked the attack was.
“I was staying in a hotel, minding my own business, when I answered a knock at my hotel room door.”
Michael McLaughlin jailed for hotel intrusion offence
McLaughlin was jailed for 50 months after admitting the serious assault, on February 14.
Police were alerted by the ambulance service to the hotel on Clavering Place, in Newcastle city centre.
The victim, a man in his 30s, answered a knock at his room door at about 11pm.
McLaughlin tried to force his way into the room, then pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in the abdomen.
The victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for emergency surgery.
He remained in hospital for several days and still suffers lasting effects from the attack.
After the assault, McLaughlin walked around the hotel with the knife before returning to his room.
Officers quickly arrived, found McLaughlin and arrested him.
They also recovered the knife used in the attack.
McLaughlin, of no fixed abode, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a bladed article, aggravated burglary and possessing a Class C drug.
The 37-year-old pleaded guilty at the court, on September 8.
He was sentenced today to a total prison term of four years and two months.
In a statement read to the sentencing hearing, the victim said: “The fact that I’m still dealing with the effects of this injury serves as a constant reminder of what happened.”
“Whilst other people may see the incident as something that happened in the past, I continue to live with the consequences of it every day.
"The impact did not end when I left the hospital.
"It has continued throughout my recovery and remains a part of my daily life.
“The long-term impact on my confidence has been significant.
"Before this attack, I was confident, independent and comfortable travelling and staying away for work.
"Since being stabbed, I have become much more cautious and wary of people.
“I believe I will carry the physical and emotional effects of this attack with me for the rest of my life.
"Every day I live with the scar, the memories of what happened and the knowledge that I was stabbed simply for answering a knock at my hotel room door.”
Detective Constable Courtney Cran, who led the investigation, said after sentencing: “This was a shocking, senseless and entirely unprovoked act of violence which has had a significant and lasting impact on the victim.
“He was simply enjoying a Valentine's Day break with his partner when McLaughlin assaulted him, causing serious injuries that continue to affect him physically and emotionally.
"I would like to thank and commend the victim for the immense courage, patience and dignity he has shown throughout the investigation and court proceedings, despite the trauma he has endured.
"I hope today's sentence provides some reassurance that those who carry and use knives will be held accountable for their actions."
Det Constable Cran added: “Knife-related violence has serious consequences for victims, families and communities.”
"We remain committed to tackling knife crime and bringing offenders before the courts. I hope this case serves as a warning that anyone who chooses to carry and use a knife can expect to face justice."
Reports of suspicious activity can be to the Northumbria force by direct message on social media, through its website or via live chat.
Anyone unable to contact the force online should call 101.
In an emergency, call 999.