Violence Antidepressant 24/12/2009 England Man With Knife Attacks 82 Year Old Neighbor
Summary:
Rainford man attacked 82-year-old neighbour with knife
A MENTALLY ILL man attacked his 82-year-old next-door neighbour while armed with a knife.
Liverpool crown court heard Anthony Molyneux, 42, pounced on his elderly friend Edward Davies after downing strong cider while on anti-depressant medicine.
Ian Davies, prosecuting, said the two men were friends and on September 13, Molyneux went round asking to borrow money.
The pensioner refused because he had no change and thought no more of it.
But later that night, Molyneux forced his way into his flat in Springfield, Rainford, armed with a black-handled kitchen knife.
The court heard the older man made an attempt to grab the knife off Molyneux, but cut himself.
They then struggled and Mr Davies was thrown to the floor, where Molyneux climbed on top of him and began thrusting the knife towards him.
Mr Davies only escaped when he shouted for help from a neighbour.
The men said Molyneux left the flat sobbing.
When arrested, he said he had no memory of the incident, but accepted everything Mr Davies said and admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
John Hargan, defending, said Molyneux, who has a history of mental health problems, was referred to a consultant neurologist at Whiston hospital.
He added Molyneux was “at a total loss” to explain why he attacked his friend and wished to apologise.
Molyneux received a four-month prison sentence suspended for six months with supervision and 75 hours unpaid work.