Attacker knifed three of his own family members

Mar 11 2008 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

A KNIFEMAN who attacked three members of his own family was told by a judge yesterday he was lucky not to be facing a life sentence for murder.

Jeffrey Mills first targeted his sister Natalie, then his brother Brian and finally his father, Brian Snr, in quick succession, injuring all three terrified victims.

Mills, who also cut off his own finger, staged the horrific attacks at the family home in December last year after the victims had gone to bed and for no clear reason, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The 21-year-old manual worker was finally overpowered by police using CS gas. Mills, of Stanhope Way, Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle, was jailed for a total of three years after admitting three offences of wounding with intent.

Richard Bloomfield, defending, said Mills’ behaviour was “largely inexplicable” but a psychiatric report said it appeared an accumulation of stress had led to an escalation in the use of alcohol and a quantity of cocaine on that night.

Recorder Graeme Hyland heard Mills continued to receive the support of his family despite their ordeal.

The judge told him: “On that evening for reasons which are not entirely clear, although I am prepared to accept you were suffering a degree of depression at the time, you went berserk and inflicted serious injuries on members of your own family whom I know you love which makes it all the more difficult for anybody to explain why it was you carried out these wicked offences of extreme violence.

“You are fortunate indeed no member of your family were killed. Had that been the case, you would have been facing a sentence of life imprisonment.”

Paul Caulfield, prosecuting, said the violence began at 2am when Mills attacked his sister Natalie as she lay asleep, leaving her bleeding profusely.

She screamed for help, alerting her brother Brian who was then attacked by Jeffrey Mills, leaving him bleeding from head injuries.

Mr Caulfield said Brian Mills Snr emerged from his bedroom and was also slashed across the forehead with the knife by Mills who followed it up with further blows.

He said at one point Mills had been shouting: “I’m sorry. I’m going to kill myself” and “I’m sorry I don’t know what’s happening.”

Police had to restrain him using CS gas, Mr Caulfield said.

They found the defendant had cut off one of his own fingers.