Knife in chest man arrested by police

Jan 3 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

A MAN who police found with a knife in his chest was last night under arrest after checking out of hospital.

David Constantine, 60, called 999 on New Year’s Eve reporting he had been the victim of a stabbing.

When officers arrived at his house in Manor Grange, Lanchester, County Durham, they found him sitting in the kitchen with the knife sticking out of his chest.

Mr Constantine was taken to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle for an operation to remove the knife from his chest, which was completed successfully.

On New Year’s Day he discharged himself from the hospital but was arrested afterwards and taken into custody. Durham Police yesterday said he was being held by officers in Consett investigating another matter.

Residents in the street watched on as officers cordoned off the street after Mr Constantine called 999 at 7.30am on New Year’s Eve.

Police tape-marked the scene of the attack as scenes-of-crime officers carried out a forensic examination of the area and made house-to-house inquiries.

Police said that when they arrived, most of the blade appeared to be still Mr Constantine’s chest, and he had lost a large amount of blood.

He was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham and later transferred to the Freeman.

Speaking about the procedure to remove the knife, a police spokesman said: “Initial investigations suggest no vital organs were damaged but doctors had to carry out an operation to remove the knife without causing further damage.”

A 29-year-old man from Manor Grange was arrested on New Year’s Eve on suspicion of attempted murder and has been released on police bail.

Officers have since been back at Mr Constantine’s house.

Anyone with information about the attack can contact police on 0845 606-0365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.