Wyong shopkeeper Steven Van Meeteren stabbing: Lachlan Bell sentenced
The Wyong shopkeeper stabbed seven times in a bungled robbery has described how the attack has left his life “hard and extremely painful”, as his attacker was sentenced to jail.
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When Wyong shopkeeper Steven Van Meeteren goes near his store, he starts to tremble and his breathing escalates.
Over the past year, since the 42-year-old was viciously stabbed seven times during a bungled robbery, the closest Mr Van Meeteren has been to Carmichael’s Corner Store is outside in his car.
“I can’t go back to my shop, fear overwhelms me,” Mr Van Meeteren told Gosford District Court.
“I am fearful of the place, knowing it is the place where I was attacked and nearly died.”
His attacker Lachlan Bell, 19, was sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment today, with a non parole period of three years and five months.
Judge Tanya Bright described the offence as a “vicious and sustained attack” which has had a devastating and far reaching impact on Mr Van Meeteren.
Mr Van Meeteren read a victim impact statement via video link and wasn’t afraid to show his shaken and emotional state. Mr Bell sat quietly throughout with a blank expression.
Mr Van Meeteren described his life since the attack and the ongoing surgeries as a result of the stab wounds to his chest, shoulder and abdomen.
He has not stepped foot in the store where had previously worked everyday for 13 years.
“On 2nd April 2019 I was attacked in such a way that changed my life completely,” he said.
“Life has become hard and extremely painful. I struggle to sleep every night. The rooms in my house are dark and the curtains drawn. I have depression and anxiety and am in constant pain in my hips and shoulder.”
He described how his mental state had affected his family life, with his wife working 10 – 11 hours a day at the store. He said he was always cranky and pushed his children and friends away.
“I don’t like to go out in public anymore,” he said. “I don’t like strangers and hate people in hooded jumpers.”
Prior to the attack, Mr Van Meeteren was close to finishing his certificate to become a gym instructor.
“Now I can’t run, lift things above my head, stand for long periods of time and I need a walking stick for stability,” he said.
The court heard on the day of the attack Mr Van Meeteren and customers of the store saw four youths outside acting suspiciously.
Just after 9am, three of the youths entered the store including Mr Bell and two females all wearing hooded jumpers, while a male waited outside.
Mr Bell went to the front counter armed with a knife and held it to Mr Van Meeteren’s throat and said “give me your money” to which he replied “you don’t want to do this, you have already been caught on cameras”.
Mr Van Meeteren stepped back and Mr Bell cut his thumb with the knife. Mr Van Meeteren grabbed a mallet from behind the counter and hit one of the females who was blocking the exit.
The court heard Mr Bell then stabbed Mr Van Meeteren multiple times and he pleaded “I have three kids, you do not need to do this”.
Mr Bell replied “I don’t care about your kids” and continued to stab him before leaving him in a pool of blood.
At around 9.10am Mr Bell and one of the females ran from the shop with the other female remaining behind to assist Mr Van Meeteren. A customer soon entered and called an ambulance and police.
Mr Bell was arrested at his home on April 4 2019 and pleaded guilty on December 17 2019 to assault with intent rob armed with an offensive weapon, causing grievous bodily harm along with a shoplifting offence.
Mr Van Meeteren said the injuries left him in constant pain with a limp on his left side and large scars.
“I see these scars every day and it reminds me of the attack,” he said. “I don’t even like to look in the mirror. My scars show people can be cruel and relentless for their own purposes.”
Judge Bright outlined Mr Bell’s criminal history, troubled childhood and said she took into account his mental health issues and remorse for the incident.
She said Mr Bell had indicated in an assessment that he had not been taking his medication in the lead up to the incident and was drinking and using cannabis.
Mr Bell’s sentence was backdated for time already served in jail and he will be eligible for release on September 3 2022.