Man who lost part of skull after neighbour's knife attack left unable to read or write

Dean Stewart, 25, left Ryan Covell, 22, with devastating injuries and in need of an emergency Blood transfusion at the scene in Newcastle city centre after suffering wounds to his neck and liver

Stewart has been jailed for more than seven years for using a knife during a sustained attack on June 15, which has left Ryan unable to talk, read and write.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the intoxicated pair got into an altercation inside Ryan's flat at the Tyneside Foyer on Westgate Road.

Using a knife, Stewart then inflicted life-threatening injuries to the victim, including a 3cm deep cut to his neck which pierced an artery, reports Chronicle Live.

Prosecutor Jolyon Perks said a neighbour saw Stewart through a window pacing in the kitchen holding what she described as a 10-inch blade and him looking "panicked and regretful".

Ryan was seen leaving the building with blood pouring from his neck and caught the attention of the concierge before collapsing.

 

Dean Stewart has been jailed for more than seven years

The victim was given a "life-saving" emergency blood transfusion at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI).

He was placed in an induced coma and later had emergency surgery to remove part of his skull in order to save his life after suffering a stroke.

Ryan remains in hospital in the stroke unit where the court heard he has made "little recovery since" and was still "too ill to make a statement" on the attack.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, his mum Diane said herson's life had been changed forever.

It read: "Ryan still cannot talk, read or write and it’s highly likely that he will never be able to do these things again. His life has significantly changed for the worse.

"He will never have a relationship, have children, be in employment or even go to the pub with his mates, simple everyday things we take for granted but are of the utmost importance.

"Ryan is not able to provide an account. He isn't able to defend himself or give his version of events and tell the court how he ended up been brutally stabbed.

"He cannot tell how he was left to die ¡n the street, fighting for his life. The only person who can give an account or rationale for his actions ¡s Dean Stewart.

"It is likely he will play this down or say he was provoked without Ryan being able to provide his account and this simply is not the case.

"Stewart still has his whole life in front of him but he has robbed Ryan of this and I will never forgive him for that. He has denied Ryan the chance to live a fulfilling life and that makes me physically sick."

Stewart, also of Westgate Road, Newcastle, was arrested and denied a charge of attempted murder at Newcastle Crown Court.

But he later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, which was accepted by prosecutors.

Brian Hegarty, mitigating, said Stewart had "deep childhood problems" following the death of his parents when he was a teenager.

The court heard how he had 27 previous convictions for 39 offences and was in breach of a suspended sentence order imposed in December last year for two counts of battery and harassment at the time of the city centre attack.

Judge Adams sentenced Stewart to seven years and 10 months behind bars, of which he will serve half before being released on licence.

He told him: "You've caused terrible injuries which the long-term effects are very significant indeed. He'll need 24-hour care which is a very significant change to his life and his family's."

A man and a woman also arrested in connection with the attack remain under investigation.

Northumbria Police's investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Brendan Paisley, said: "This was a brutal and sustained attack that has changed Ryan Covell's life forever and we welcome the custodial sentence handed to Dean Stewart.

"If it wasn't for the life-saving intervention of the paramedics and doctors then I have no doubt that Stewart would have been convicted of murder.

"In many ways, Ryan's life has been taken from him and I know that the sentence will provide little comfort to him or his family.

"Their lives have been changed forever and I hope that, at the very least, they can now begin to put this case behind them and move on with their lives."

Ryan Covell, from Fenham, with his mum Diane

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