Charlie Vincent Quinlan: Berkeley Vale teen sentenced for reckless wounding in Grafton Local Court

A Central Coast teen stabbed his Grafton “uncle”, causing internal injuries, after the victim threatened to “chop” him up. Now, he’s learned his fate following the brutal attack.

Charlie Quinlan outside Grafton Local Court.

A Central Coast teen who responded to threats by his Grafton “uncle” while trying to perform a home tattoo, stabbing the man and causing internal injuries, has learned his fate in court.

Berkeley Vale man Charlie Quinlan, 19, fronted Grafton Local Court on Monday, where he was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to one count of reckless wounding.

The court previously heard Quinlan’s conflict with the other man began at a South Grafton house party in October last year.

The family friend affectionately referred to as “uncle” underwent surgery, requiring suturing of his bowel. He also suffered a laceration to his liver, the court was told.

Quinlan stabbed the man during a formerly friendly get together involving drinks at the victim’s home.

Charlie Quinlan outside Grafton Local Court.

Police detailed the events leading up to the stabbing: “At some stage (Quinlan) asked the victim if he could give him a tattoo.”

“The victim agreed and Quinlan began setting up the tattoo equipment,” police facts state.

Quinlan frustrated his “uncle” by interrupting conversations several times, repeatedly asking how to use the tattoo equipment and how soon he could give him a tattoo.

“The victim became aggressive towards (Quinlan) and said, ‘I’ll chop you up’ and other verbal threats,” the documents state.

Quinlan left and returned to carry out the attack — he “stabbed the victim in the right stomach area”.

Quinlan’s “uncle” required surgery after the attack. Picture: Debrah Novak.

On Monday, Quinlan was accompanied by his partner as he faced sentencing.

Defence lawyer Jesse Sinclair told the court his client had entered an early plea of guilty and was remorseful for what he had done.

The lawyer said Quinlan suffered from nightmares and stress after his attack.

Mr Sinclair said Quinlan was provoked, but conceded “it doesn’t excuse the offending at all”.

“This isn’t a random attack that he’s just gone and stabbed someone out of the blue, there is some context to it,” he said.

The court heard since moving to the Central Coast Quinlan was smoking less marijuana and had surrounded himself with positive role models.

Charlie Quinlan.

Magistrate Juliana Crofts said “stabbing someone in the stomach area with a sharp object” could “only be regarded as a serious offence”.

But she said the victim acted aggressively on the night and Quinlan’s limited criminal record showed the offending was out of character.

“None of those things excuse your conduct, but explain – they put some colour – into why it occurred,” she said.

Quinlan was convicted and sentenced to 14-months imprisonment, to be served in the community as an intensive corrections order.

“I do warn you this is a jail sentence,” Ms Crofts warned Quinlan as he left the courtroom.