Woy Woy stabbing: butcher James Craig Stockwell charged with wounding friend Jonnie Ippolito
A butcher allegedly stabbed his mate on a night out after the pair argued over his friend trying to take a glass of beer outside a pub, a court has heard.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A night out on a “ghastly” amount of grog for two couples has ended with one man in hospital with a stab wound to his abdomen and his mate in custody for at least the next two months, a court has heard.
Sporting a black eye and grazes to his forehead and chin, James Craig Stockwell, appeared at Gosford Local Court on Tuesday where he faced one count of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
His solicitor told the court the 35-year-old butcher and father of two children was out with his wife and another couple at licensed venues at Woy Woy on Saturday night.
She said an altercation broke out after the victim, named in charge sheets as Jonnie Ippolito, tried to take a glass of beer out of a hotel.
“James tried to stop him and that’s where the verbal altercation began,” his solicitor said.
“The accused was hit in the face by the victim.”
She said the victim broke off a fence paling and threatened Mr Stockwell who was knocked “unconscious at some stage”.
The court heard Mr Stockwell’s wife was sober and drove him home.
Magistrate Roger Prowse said police will allege that after Mr Stockwell’s wife went inside, Mr Stockwell armed himself before stabbing 33-year-old Mr Ippolito outside a property on North Burge Rd shortly after midnight.
Mr Stockwell’s solicitor said he was not a regular drinker and worked six days a week as a butcher from 3.30am to midday to support his family.
She said there was a lot of alcohol involved.
“It was quite ghastly,” she said.
Mr Ippolito, a father of three children himself, was treated at the scene before being taken to Gosford Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Mr Stockwell was also treated at hospital for minor injuries before he was taken to Gosford Police Station and charged over the alleged stabbing.
Mr Prowse said given the likelihood of lengthy full time custodial sentence Mr Stockwell was a threat to the community and a flight risk.
He was refused bail to reappear on March 31.