A nurse who attempted to murder a stranger in a shocking, unprovoked attack inside a Northallerton record shop has been jailed for life.
Darren Harris, 58, of Amesbury Crescent in Middlesbrough, was working as an anaesthetist nurse at an NHS hospital when he injected the shop owner with a powerful muscle relaxant in a calculated bid to kill. Today, Friday 11 April, a judge at Leeds Crown Court sentenced him to life in prison, with a minimum term of 16 years before he can be considered for release.
Attack in Broad Daylight
The terrifying incident unfolded on the morning of Tuesday, 2 July 2024, at Gary Lewis’s vinyl record shop on Zetland Street. Mr Lewis, who had just opened his store for the day, was confronted by Harris, a complete stranger who had been loitering and browsing records throughout the morning.
At 13:38, Harris returned to the store for what would become his final and most sinister visit. After pretending to make a purchase, he waited until Mr Lewis turned to place money in the till before injecting him with a hypodermic needle containing Rocuronium — a hospital-grade drug used to induce paralysis during surgery. In the wrong hands, it can cause respiratory failure and death.
Harris fled the shop immediately, but in a courageous effort, Mr Lewis pursued him, managing to block Harris’s car and raise the alarm.
Life-Saving Intervention
Within minutes, Mr Lewis’s health deteriorated rapidly. He stopped breathing and fell unconscious. Passersby who witnessed the commotion rushed to help, and their quick actions are credited with saving his life before emergency services arrived.
Despite being a trained medical professional, Harris stood by and refused to assist the man he had just attacked. When confronted by police officers from North Yorkshire Police, he falsely claimed that the injection contained only water.
Justice Delivered
During the trial, Harris denied attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent but admitted to administering a noxious substance. He chose not to give evidence, but the jury heard audio from his police interviews and, on 28 January 2025, returned a guilty verdict for attempted murder.
At sentencing, the judge described the attack as “cold-blooded, premeditated, and inexplicably cruel,” adding that Harris’s background in medicine made his actions “particularly disturbing and dangerous.”
Community in Shock
The attack sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Northallerton community, where Mr Lewis is a well-known and respected business owner. Locals have praised his bravery and expressed relief at the life-saving efforts of bystanders.
Mr Lewis continues to recover from the ordeal, and a statement read in court on his behalf described the lasting physical and emotional trauma he has endured.
Anyone affected by this story or in need of emotional support is encouraged to contact mental health helplines such as Samaritans at 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit their local GP.
