Adrian Stratton, who stabbed co-worker at Onyx Cafe Mayfield, found not guilty by way of mental illness

In an unprovoked and bloody attack, kitchen hand Adrian Stratton plunged a knife into the chest of the chef. He has been found not guilty. Read what happened in court.

Onyx Espresso Bar, Mayfield where the chef was stabbed by co-worker Adrian Stratton on May 12, 2021. He has been found not guilty by way of mental illness. Picture: Facebook.

A Newcastle kitchen hand who violently stabbed a co-worked in an unprovoked and bloody attack after beating her with a frying pan has been found not guilty by way of mental illness.

In Newcastle District Court on Tuesday Adrian Stratton, 25, pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm, with intent to murder, after he plunged a 20cm kitchen knife into the chest of the chef at Onyx Espresso Bar at Mayfield on May 12, 2021.

In the alternate, the New Zealander who was living in Sandgate at the time, also pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Adrian Stratton who stabbed his co-worker at the Onyx Espresso Bar in Mayfield in 2021 has been found not guilty by way of mental illness. Picture: Supplied.

The rear of Onyx cafe, Mayfield. Picture: Google Maps.

Judge Roy Ellis determined a defence of mental health impairment had been established and while the attack had been proven, Stratton was not criminally responsible.

Judge Ellis said it was apparent the kitchen worker had “bizarre and paranoid” thoughts and showed “signs of psychosis”, namely schizophrenia, not just from prior drug use but from his mental illness.

The court heard both the chef and Stratton had worked together for a number of months and had a “reasonable” professional relationship, without conflict, before the random and sudden attack.

The facts read in court said the victim saw it as “completely out of the blue”.

The chef was washing her hands in the sink during a usual weekday service at about 2.30pm that afternoon, when Stratton approached her from behind and violently struck her with a fry pan to the side of the head twice.

The facts said the chef dazed and confused then turned to face Stratton who had an aggressive look on his face.

That’s when the frightening attack escalated as Stratton grabbed a knife from a utensil holder nearby - one the court heard the chef had just sharpened - and attempted to stab her a number of times.

The popular Newcastle cafe where Stratton stabbed the chef. Picture: Google Maps.

While she was able to fight off and block most of the stabs, she received a number of deep lacerations, while one thrust impaled her chest and the knife was embedded in her body, the court heard.

But the terrifying incident didn’t stop there, as she cried for help and staggered into the rear courtyard, Stratton then picked up a fire extinguisher and bashed the chef, striking her several times as she blocked the hits with her arms.

The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital and underwent surgery to remove the knife and repair several deep cuts, while police arrested Stratton just a kilometre from the cafe about half-an-hour later.

The court heard on Tuesday that there was no dispute of what happened the day of the attack, it was only for Judge Ellis to decide on his mental illness.

“I am satisfied that Mr Stratton voluntarily engaged in the conduct which resulted in grievous bodily harm to the victim,” Judge Ellis said.

“I am satisfied the defence of mental health impairment has been established, therefore enter a special verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible in relation to count one.

“It is not necessary for me to deal with the alternate count two.”

The court heard psychiatric reports tendered by both parties agreed a defence of mental illness was warranted and that Stratton had developed “auditory hallucinations” and at the time of the offending was “severely mentally ill”.

Judge Ellis made recommendations Stratton be detained in custody until released to the mental health review tribunal.