A MAN who stabbed his friend in an "unprovoked" attack was placed under probation for a three-year period.
Michael Alan Thompson was off his medication and not engaging with mental health support services when he stabbed his friend after a drinking session.
Judge Roseann McCormick QC at Belfast Crown Court revealed the victim made a full recovery, but "there are other circumstances in which a single stab wound can kill".
Thompson, from Holywood Road, Belfast, admitted wounding his friend on October 28, 2018.
The 32-year old has since spent more than two years detained in the Shannon Clinic receiving psychiatric treatment.
Thompson spent the day of the stabbing drinking in Global Crescent with friends - becoming more angry and aggressive.
His friend left and walked up Ravenhill Avenue followed by Thompson who stabbed him in the back with a kitchen knife.
He was rushed to hospital and treated for an 8cm wound.
Thompson was apprehended by police at the scene and later transferred to the psychiatric unit.
Judge McCormick said she noted the defendant was suffering from poor mental health and was not taking his prescribed medication when he stabbed his friend and during more than two years in Shannon has benefitted from support.
She said it must have been "very frightening and very distressing for the victim".
Accepting he has since expressed remorse for the unprovoked attack, the judge imposed a three year Probation Order and ordered Thompson pay his friend £2,000 compensation over the next two years to "put his remorse into action."
