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Ely Man Who Carried Out "Barbaric and Evil" Triple Stabbing Found Guilty of Wounding With Intent
Last updated: 29/09/2009 10:03:00
Philip Gregory
A MAN who carried out a 'barbaric and evil' triple stabbing in Ely was found guilty of wounding with intent at Cambridge Crown Court last week.
Phillip Gregory, 34, was heavily intoxicated and on prescription medicine when, following a night out in Ely in October last year, he stabbed three people with a four inch knife.
Gregory, who described his crimes to the court as "barbaric, evil and disgusting" had earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful wounding but claimed he was unable to remember the incident and denied the more serious charge of wounding with intent.
The jury rejected Gregory's defence, however, and found that his attacks were 'intended to cause harm' rather than being reckless. Sentencing was adjourned until the week beginning November 2.
During the trial the court heard how after work on the evening of October 18 last year, Gregory had travelled to a nearby Tesco supermarket to buy some beer. After picking up four cans of Carlsberg and four bottles of Cobra beer, Gregory, who worked as a postman, headed back to his flat in Broad Street.
Gregory admitted to the court that he had taken his usual prescription dose of anti-depressants that morning and only usually had a shandy in the evenings. He told the court, however, that he was feeling "particularly cheerful" and decided "on a whim" to have a beer instead.
After drinking one of the cans Gregory told the court he heard people outside his flat at around 10.30pm and decided he wanted to "go and have some fun" in the city centre. He then headed to a local pub armed with the sheathed knife where he began to drink heavily.
Gregory told the court he had taken the knife for his own protection as he felt that Ely "was a homophobic place."
After leaving the pub at around 2am and buying a kebab, Gregory headed to the Market Place where he became involved in an argument with a group of people, one of whom was Scott Renachowski . Gregory stabbed Renachowski in the stomach before slashing at his neck, leaving a 10cm cut.
After threatening several people who had come to Renachowski's aid , Gregory headed down to Fore Hill where, after another altercation, he stabbed Karen Downham Armstrong three times in the stomach as well as stabbing Sean Baker, leaving him with a 12cm wound that required extensive surgery.
Police arrived at the scene a matter of minutes after Gregory had stabbed Mr Baker and he was arrested.
Detective Constable Dan Botterill, said: "Key to this successful prosecution was the bravery of the victims and the admirable way they have conducted themselves during the investigation and trial.
"They have had an absolute ordeal, with physical and mental repercussions and then had to recount it all in court during the trial.
"They were subjected to unprovoked violent attacks with a weapon, suffering serious injury. Hopefully they can now begin to move on from this.