A young man stabbed his stepdad after he was told off for playing music too loud in his bedroom.
Cameron McKimmie argued with his mum and upset his little sister in a 1am row at his family's Wirral home. But when John Charles intervened there was a "scuffle" and McKimmie, 22, pulled out a four-inch blade.
He knifed his victim in the thigh, then chased him upstairs and stabbed at a bathroom door, as his stepdad hid inside. McKimmie was today spared jail, after a judge was told he was "a good young man" and it was "completely out of character".
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Liverpool Crown Court heard McKimmie came home drunk with his girlfriend in Quarry Avenue, Bebington on February 6. He started playing music and his mum Leanne McKimmie told him to turn it down, but he went into the bedroom she shared with her partner and started "screaming and shouting".
Keith Sutton, prosecuting, said McKimmie headed downstairs, where his 12-year-old sister, who had been asleep, was upset. His mum followed him and an argument broke out in the living room.
McKimmie threatened to stab himself in the head and Mr Charles tried to "calm matters down". But in a "scuffle" they "fell from the lounge into the hallway".
The mum was so concerned she rang the police and held the lounge door shut. During the "struggle" in the hallway, Mr Charles realised McKimmie was "was trying to get something" his waistband.
Mr Sutton said: "The complainant then noticed the defendant was holding a kitchen knife. More than one witness describes that knife having a blade four inches long and the defendant used that to stab the complainant in the left leg.
"The complainant ran upstairs and shut himself in the bathroom. He was pursued by the defendant who was trying to get into the bathroom - he was kicking the door and also using the knife to stab at the bathroom door."
McKimmie went into his bedroom and started rowing with his girlfriend. Mr Charles fled the house, only to be chased by his stepson - still wielding the knife - into the street.
Police arrived and arrested McKimmie. Mr Sutton said: "He stated to the police that in his view the complainant didn't treat his mother very well and he would kill him."
Mr Charles was taken to hospital and received stitches for a "gaping wound" to his left thigh. He declined to make a victim personal statement.
McKimmie was interviewed by police and answered "no comment" to most questions. He said an injury to his hand was from "punching the wall out of frustration". Mr Sutton said: "When asked about his conduct, he said he did not have to explain his actions to anyone."
McKimmie, of previous good character, was charged with wounding with intent. He later admitted the lesser offence of wounding.
Michael Bagley, defending, said Mr Charles tried to retract his police statement and also sent an email setting out what happened "on reflection". The victim said when his "stepson" was "threatening to stab himself in the head" he wanted to get him away from his mum and sister.
Mr Charles said: "I just wanted to get him out of the house. I was sick of his behaviour and the fact he had caused more trouble in the house."
The stepdad said he "grabbed" McKimmie and during a "scuffle" felt sudden pain. He said: "I don't believe Cameron intended to stab me. I didn't see him actually stab me. I believe it just happened in the scuffle."
The court heard McKimmie was born with clubfoot, which impacted on his upbringing, but left school and gained work. Mr Bagley said he came from a "law-abiding family" and his mum, who didn't condone his behaviour, plus grandparents, aunts, cousins and friends were sitting in the public gallery.
Mr Bagley said McKimmie had served three months on remand in custody. He was now sober and had reflected on his "downward spiral".
The lawyer said references from family members spoke of him being a "good young man" and "his conduct on that night to them is unfathomable". He said: "They all recognise for someone who is good natured and has a strong work ethic. There must have been something behind it, which is troubling him. He needs help."
Mr Bagley said McKimmie's family were "rallying round" him, he would undergo counselling and admitted to "drinking more than he should" and "occasionally taking drugs". Mr Bagley said he was remorseful, adding: "Heartbroken and upset is how he describes his feelings."
Recorder Eric Lamb said McKimmie had been "badly affected by drink" and now, when sober, his family had seen the return of "the old Cameron McKimmie". However, he said: "There is no excuse for losing control. There is no excuse for taking out in my judgement a highly dangerous weapon, a kitchen knife, and keeping it in the waistband of your trousers and producing it in the circumstances of a struggle."
Recorder Lamb said the injury was "not grave", McKimmie didn't have any previous convictions and references said it was "completely out of character".
The judge concluded there was "a realistic prospect of rehabilitation". He said: "Everything I have read and heard about you screams there is just such a prospect of rehabilitation and you're being supported by your family."
Recorder Lamb handed him 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, as McKimmie wiped tears from his eyes and his mum cried.
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