InterContinental employee Crystel Shillingsworth allegedly stabbed manager over ‘drugging’ claims

A receptionist at a luxury Sydney hotel allegedly stabbed her manager 15 times because she believed her cup of coffee had been drugged.

Ambulance crews at the InterContinental Sydney. Picture: OnScene Bondi

A receptionist at a renowned Sydney hotel accused her colleague of drugging her cup of coffee during a late night shift, before allegedly flying into a “premeditated and violent” rage and stabbing her 15 times with a pair of scissors.

Crystel Shillingsworth allegedly stabbed her manager Oshin Pathak in the face and back more than a dozen times while the pair worked the front desk at the InterContinental Sydney on Phillip St, in the heart of the CBD, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Shillingsworth was charged with wounding with intent to murder, with police alleging it was only the intervention of another colleague that stopped her killing Ms Pathak.

Paramedics at the InterContinental Sydney on July 26. Picture: OnScene Bondi

Police allege the shocking incident began in a back room of the InterContinental at 2am on July 26, when Shillingsworth’s vision became blurred after drinking a cup of coffee.

It’s alleged she confronted Ms Pathak and accused her manager of drugging her, which she denied.

Court documents detail how CCTV allegedly captured the entirety of the incident and show how Shillingsworth next grabbed a pair of scissors from Ms Pathak’s desk.

She then allegedly “positioned herself beside” Ms Pathak, grabbed her and stabbed her 15 times to the face, back, head, cheek and both arms.

Another Intercontinental staff member, Hilary Delfin, heard the commotion and ran in to help, allegedly trying to disarm Shillingsworth.

Shillingsworth allegedly grabbed Ms Delfin by the neck, while Ms Pathak – despite her extensive injuries – grabbed hold of the accused attacker’s arm, preventing her from stabbing Ms Delfin.

The stabbing occurred in a back room at the InterContinental Sydney. Picture: OnScene Bondi

Shillingsworth allegedly managed to push Ms Delfin to the ground, striking her six times with her knee before repeatedly stomping on her, the documents state.

Security and police arrived within minutes, discovering Ms Pathak bleeding heavily from her wounds and Delfin with minor injuries.

Shillingsworth was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station, where court documents state she allegedly told detectives she “picked up the scissors to physically assault Ms Pathak”.

Detectives at the hotel following the alleged stabbing. Picture: OnScene Bondi

“I just picked up scissors in the office and just stabbed her,” she allegedly told police.

“I stepped on Hilary’s face with my heel”.

In the documents, police stated “Investigators believe the actions of Ms Delfin prevented the death of Ms Pathak”, while Sydney City Police Area Command’s Chief Inspector Gary Coffey told media the situation “could have been a lot worse”.

“This was a (frenzied) attack … We have to pay tribute to the co-workers who intervened because the situation could have been a lot worse than what it is,” he said.

The alleged stabbing occurred in a back room behind reception. Picture: OnScene Bondi

Shillingsworth was charged with causing wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

She faced Parramatta Local Court on Sunday, where her solicitor Gazi Abbas made no application for bail, and it was formally refused.

Shillingsworth is set to spend at least another month behind bars, with her next court date listed for September 18 in the Downing Centre Local Court.

A spokesman for the InterContinental said staff were being supported following the horrific incident.

“An isolated staff incident took place at the InterContinental Sydney overnight,” a spokesman said.

“The incident remains an ongoing Police investigation so we’re unable to provide further details.”

“We are supporting our colleagues and the wider hotel team in whatever way we can at this difficult time.”