Crown seeks 7 to 9 years for attempted murderer Michael Lidd

Details emerged Mondayin a sentencing hearing for a man who pleaded guilty to attempted murder, for stabbing a man in the neckfollowing a sexual encounter.

Michael John Lidd, 31, was in courtin Happy Valley-Goose Bay for stabbing a man outside anUltramar gas station on May 10.

"It's very clear thatwhen you stab someone in the neck with a knife,that your intention is to kill,"Crown prosecutor Stephen Anstey said.

The stabbing victim was treated at the Labrador-Grenfell Health Centre, and survived the attack but, due to alcohol consumption, could not remember who attacked him.

Prior to the incident, the two were last seen together at an emergency shelter on Hillcrest Road.

Lidd is no stranger to the court

"Mr. Lidd's record could be described as extensive, with more than 100 prior offences," Anstey said.

Those offences included two prior sexual assault convictions and one conviction of sexual interference, as well as a conviction of arson with endangering property.

Hisrecord is largely breaches of court orders, property offencesand mischief. It escalated withthe attempted murder last spring.

"Mr. Lidd was essentially caught on video committing this offence," Anstey said.

He was located by the RCMP on May 16andwas arrested.

Video surveillance fromUltramar showedLidd from behindduring the time of the attack, but it then becamevisible that the other manwascovered in blood, according to the Crown's evidence.

Mr. Lidd was trying to get some sleep in the vehicle but [the other man]would not let him.- Stephen Anstey

On May 17, Lidd confessed to Const. Mo Agha of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP detachment that he tried to kill the stabbing victim. The officerwas the only person in the court's gallery for the sentencing hearing.

"Mr. Lidd informed Mr. Agha that he had been drinking with [the other man]and the two went into a vehicle where the two had a consensual sexual encounter," Anstey said.

"Mr. Lidd was trying to get some sleep in the vehicle but [the man]would not let him, continuing to attempt to engage in sexual activity."

That is when Lidd took out the blue box cutter from his pocket, and stabbed [him] in the neck, according to the Crown, causing "a very significant slash wound across the neck," saidAnstey.

The Crown asked for a sentence of seven to nine years for the attempted murder charge, while defence lawyerSusan Dayasked for sixyears.

Judge Phyllis Harris will announce a decision on Dec. 20at provincial courtin Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

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