Home News North East News

Grandad reveals stabbng terror

Jan 10 2010 by Dan Warburton, Sunday Sun

Wife Pauline blasted: “I could have been burying my husband, who would do something like this?”

Walter has worked as a pizza chef for 18 years in the seafront restaurant of Gabrieles, in Seaburn, Sunderland.

Since the knifing on September 11 last year at 10.50pm, he suffers terrifying flashbacks, bouts of depression and has not been able to work for the last four months.

He has undergone three operations, attends weekly physio sessions and has had nearly 50 stitches to treat the various wounds.

But last night he showed mercy for his attacker, and said he hoped Dougherty would get the rehabilitation he needed.

Walter, who has two children, Rebecca, 25, and Kevin, 21, and an 18-month old grandson called Max, said: “He was going to attack me anyway.

“It’s affected me mentally and I keep having nightmares about it, reliving it over and over again. I’m nervous about going back to work.

“It’s shocking that somebody would do something like this, but he’s only a young boy and I hope he gets the help he needs.

“He deserves the prison sentence, but he obviously needs support, like my family have been for me. My wife has been amazing.”

Dougherty admitted wounding with intent and carrying an offensive weapon and was jailed indefinitely for the attack.

Keep up to date with the news. Sign up for News Alerts

Have your say on the latest news and sport in our Forums

Site Tools