Simon Lawarik found guilty of causing serious harm with intent after CBD stabbing
A thug has been found guilty of intentionally stabbing a stranger in the chest on a night out, after his excuse that he didn’t mean to cause such serious injuries fell flat with a judge.
A thug has been found guilty of intentionally stabbing a stranger in the chest on a night out, after his bizarre excuse fell flat with a judge.
Last week, Judge Kris Handshin found Simon Lawarik, 29, guilty of causing serious harm with intent.
Lawarik had claimed he didn’t mean to cause serious injuries so he should be found guilty of a lesser charge.
During Lawarik’s trial, Mitch Mott, for the prosecution, told the court the victim was eating takeaway food on Rundle St after a night of drinking in February 2024.
Lawarik, who was out in the city with two others, came across the victim.
One of his associates began exchanging words with the victim, before Lawarik produced a knife in a sheath from his belt.
“The defendant still holding the knife, unsheathed in his right hand, and then struck the complainant once to the chest,” Mr Mott said.
“He (the victim) had little memory from the night and his earliest memory relative to the offence was sitting in a laneway with people around him telling him he had been stabbed.”
The victim was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with a 2cm stab wound to the right side of his chest.
A scan showed blood in his chest cavity and a partially collapsed right lung, with the surgeon of the opinion that if left untreated the injuries were life threatening.
Lawarik was identified by CCTV footage.
The Elizabeth Vale man pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious harm but not guilty to causing serious harm with intent.
Timothy Blake, for Lawarik, argued his client acted with recklessness and it could not be inferred he intended to cause serious harm.
“It’s not a directed stab into that region. He could have got anywhere,” he said.
“Mr Lawarik has no memory of the incident … he is surprised at what actually occurred in that brief time.”
In his judgment, Judge Handshin said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Lawarik formed an intention to cause serious harm to the victim.
“It was a calculated blow with a large knife, delivered to the chest of an individual who was within arm’s reach of the accused,” he said.
“The accused employed a deliberate stabbing motion, as opposed to a ‘slashing’ motion.
“The blow was also apparently delivered with some force.”
Lawarik will face court next month for sentencing submissions.
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Originally published as Simon Lawarik found guilty of causing serious harm with intent after CBD stabbing
