A Whitstable woman, who was too intoxicated to recall stabbing a teenager in the back with kitchen scissors, has been sentenced to one year in prison.
Abbie Lucas, 30, attacked the 19-year-old at her temporary housing flat in West Cliff, Whitstable, on August 22, 2023, after a heated argument. The victim, described as a “friend with benefits,” sustained a 6cm stab wound that required five stitches and an airlift to King’s College Hospital in London.
Incident Details
The court heard that Lucas had been on a “three to four-day drinking binge,” consuming several bottles of wine on the day of the attack. The teenager testified that the altercation began when Lucas became “loud and abusive” in the communal hallway of the housing complex.
During the argument, Lucas scratched his neck with her acrylic nails and grabbed his hair. The victim admitted he had struck Lucas once in self-defense. As he returned to her flat to retrieve his belongings, Lucas stabbed him in the back as he bent down to pick up a shoe.
I thought I had been punched until I saw the blood,” the victim told Canterbury Crown Court.
Lucas’s Arrest and Trial
Lucas was found by police hiding under a staircase in the basement of the property. She was visibly intoxicated, with blood on her face, and the scissors used in the attack were later recovered from a bush outside the building.
In her police interview, Lucas expressed regret but claimed to have “blacked out” during the incident. I love that boy. I don’t know what happened, and I wish I did,” she said.
Court Proceedings
During her trial, prosecutor Tom Worden argued that the stabbing was an unprovoked attack and that Lucas’s actions were “unreasonable” even if she had been acting in self-defense. The jury acquitted Lucas of the more serious charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but found her guilty of the lesser charge of wounding.
Sentencing
On Friday, December 20, 2024, Lucas was sentenced to one year in prison. The judge acknowledged her apparent remorse but emphasized the seriousness of her actions.
Detective Sergeant Vanessa Law commented:
This case highlights the devastating consequences of alcohol-fueled violence. While the victim avoided life-threatening injuries, the trauma inflicted will likely have a lasting impact.”
Community Impact
The incident has sparked discussions about the dangers of excessive drinking and domestic violence in temporary housing accommodations. Authorities are urging individuals struggling with alcohol or volatile relationships to seek help before situations escalate.
For assistance, contact local support services or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247.
