Dominic Lagudi set to be sentenced for late-night double stabbing in Newcastle

A court has heard an unprovoked late-night double stabbing in a Newcastle laneway could have been much more grim, with the two victims able to flag down police before being rushed to hospital.

Lagudi faced a sentence hearing in Newcastle District Court on Friday. Picture: Amy Ziniak

A violent and unprovoked late-night double stabbing in a Newcastle laneway could have been much worse, a court has heard, with one man slashed across the neck.

Dominic Lagudi had just entered adulthood when he turned on two Nepalese chefs near the entrance of the Asian Star Brothel, on Devonshire St, about 3:30am on January 19 last year.

The pair had just exited an Uber on King St when, according to police facts, Lagudi attacked the 25-year-old and 28-year-old, stabbing one to the neck and the other to the forearm, severely injuring them both.

Lagudi later pleaded guilty to wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and reckless wounding.

The laneway in Devonshire St, where two men were stabbed during an attack on January 19, 2023. Picture: Google Maps

Newcastle District Court heard on Friday the attack was “momentary” and “spontaneous” and there was no planning involved when he launched at the two men with a knife.

Lagudi’s lawyer said while it was a serious incident, his client withdrew immediately following a “frantic” moment and the victim stabbed to the neck had made a full recovery.

He noted his client had a background of significant deprivation and drug addiction, which placed substantial downward pressure on his moral culpability.

The Crown argued the injury to the neck, a “vulnerable part of the human anatomy” could have been life-threatening and asked the court to bear that in mind.

The court also heard Lagudi, who had just turned 18 at the time of the attack, had a past littered with violent offences, including assault, assaulting police and aggravated robbery.

Details of the violent attack revealed the two men had knocked on the door of the brothel and received no answer before one of them walked further down the laneway and made a phone call coming into contact with Lagudi.

Police facts said he then pulled out a small silver knife from his pocket and “shaped up” to one of the men before he punched him in the face.

The man can be seen on CCTV placing his palms up and stepping away in a “defensive” manner before he was stabbed in the elbow.

Lagudi then turned his attention to the second man before he stabbed him to the left side of the neck, the entire incident lasting about 15 seconds, according to police facts.

The two men were able to flag down a police car before they were rushed to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Lagudi was dramatically arrested at a Jesmond unit two months later, with assistance from PolAir and the dog squad.

Judge Troy Anderson adjourned his sentencing until next week.