Nicholas Sullivan jailed for shocking knife attack on Coorong Hotel publican Ray Logan

Searching for more booze, this man broke into the pub next door, cut the phone lines and viciously attacked the owner with a knife, causing horrific injuries.

Drunk and on the hunt for more booze, a 21-year-old broke into a pub and launched a “vicious and unprovoked” attack on the owner – stabbing him multiple times.

Nicholas Lee James Sullivan smashed the rear window of the Coorong Hotel Motel at Policeman Point about 2.30am on September 21, 2021, and forced his way inside.

In sentencing on Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Anne Bampton said that once inside the hotel Sullivan cut the phone lines and made his way into the eight-ball room.

Sullivan then set upon publican Ray Logan – who lived on the premises – with a folding knife.

Mr Logan sustained multiple stab wounds to his neck, chest and head – including a slash across his cheek requiring 47 stitches – as well as two punctured lungs.

He suffered skull fractures and bleeding inside his skull, which has caused lasting issues including memory loss.

The court previously heard Sullivan stabbed Mr Logan 15 times and tried to scalp him.

Nicholas Lee James Sullivan was sentenced in the Supreme Court for an unprovoked attack on a Coorong publican. Picture: Supplied.

“You stabbed and cut him multiple times with a knife. At one point you restrained Mr Logan and used to knife to cut his head and neck,” Justice Bampton said.

Mr Logan was able to push Sullivan away and unlock the front door before Sullivan walked out.

Sullivan was originally charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated causing serious harm with intent. He had also pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated serious criminal trespass.

The court previously heard Sullivan had gone to the pub with the intent of stealing a 700mL bottle of Jim Beam White Label.

Justice Bampton said the motive for the brutal attack was unknown and expert evidence provided to the court indicated Sullivan was “highly intoxicated and in a state of disinhibition” when he lashed out.

She said the two men were neighbours and Sullivan had previously worked for Mr Logan, doing odd jobs and gardening around the hotel.

“Your brutal alcohol-fuelled, unprovoked attack with a knife on Mr Logan took place in his home without warning in the early hours of the morning and whilst he had no means of protecting himself,” she said.

“This, together with the serious injuries he suffered, demands a sentence that punishes you, protects the community and provides both personal and general deterrence.”

After discounts for his pleas, Justice Bampton jailed Sullivan for five and a half years and set a non-parole period of two and a half years. His sentence was backdated to the date of the incident when he was taken into custody.