Stab claim man stays behind bars

Jan 10 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A MAN accused of stabbing himself in the chest then blaming a neighbour faces a further two months behind bars.

Judge Richard Lowden, at Durham Crown Court, yesterday refused a bail application by David Constantine, 60, of Manor Grange, Lanchester.

He remanded him in custody until his next court appearance on March 14.

Constantine was first remanded in custody when he appeared before Consett magistrates last Thursday, accused of stabbing himself in the chest to frame Stefan Ward in a long-running dispute.

Mr Ward was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder when armed police burst into his home at 6am on New Year’s Day.

He was later released without charge.

Bearded Constantine has also been charged with brandishing a gun at Mr Ward, 29, during an alleged campaign of harassment.

Emergency services were called to his home shortly after 7.30pm on New Year’s Eve.

They found Constantine sitting in a chair in the kitchen with a large knife sticking out of his body. He claimed he had been stabbed.

Constantine, who lives alone, had the 7in blade removed from his chest by surgeons.

But he discharged himself from Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital on New Year’s Day and was later arrested by police. Officers recovered 14 knives, two axes, a machete and two air weapons following a search of his house.

He is charged with two offences of perverting the course of justice and one of harassment.

The first charge alleges that he falsely reported on December 12, 2006, that he had been assaulted by Mr Ward, resulting in the neighbour being arrested and kept in police detention.

The second alleges that on December 31, 2007, he falsely reported that he had been stabbed by Mr Ward, resulting in the neighbour being arrested for attempted murder and kept in police detention.

The third charge alleges that between March 1, 2006, and January 3, 2008, he harassed Mr Ward by causing him to fear violence would be used against him, and that on September 7, 2007, he brandished a gun at Mr Ward.

Constantine’s solicitor, Barry Rowe, told the court his client had instructed relatives to put his house on the market, as he intended to move from Lanchester.