Indefinite jail for beach attack

Daniel Kelbrick was stabbed at Llandudno on a Saturday afternoon

A homeless man who slashed a sleeping man's throat in an attack on a beach has been jailed indefinitely.

Victim Daniel Kelbrick woke to find Sydney Rodgers, 52, standing over him, saying: "You're dead".

Mold Crown Court heard that Mr Kelbrick was lucky to survive, suffering two wounds to the throat after the attack in Llandudno, Conwy county.

Rodgers, from the Burry Port area of Carmarthenshire, pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

The court heard that Mr Kelbrick had been on the beach sleeping off a night of drinking in May when that attack took place.

He was remonstrating with God and asking him why he had allowed him to do what he had done? John Philpotts, prosecuting

Mr Kelbrick woke up to find that he was bleeding from the throat and Rodgers ran off towards the town's pier.

A woman who witnessed the attack rang the police, and Rodgers also phoned them to confess.

The victim was rushed to hospital and was told that the wounds, if deeper, could have been fatal.

Clearly distressed

Rodgers was later arrested at Holy Trinity Church in Llandudno where the knife was also recovered.

The court heard that Rodgers was witnessed by the church's canon speaking on a mobile phone, clearly distressed.

Prosecutor John Philpotts said: "He was remonstrating with God and asking him why he had allowed him to do what he had done?"

Rodgers told police: "I tried to kill a man. I hope he is dead."

Adam Watkins, defending, said that homeless Rodgers had lost a bag containing personal possesions, and decided his victim was in some way responsible.

"The red mist descended," the court was told.

Passing an indefinite jail sentence, Judge John Rogers QC said it was "only a matter of providence" that the victim had lived.

"When it was over, you rejoiced by boasting that you had slit his throat," added the judge.

"After you were arrested, you repeatedly said you hoped he would die.

"I sentence you on the basis that you had clear intention to kill Mr Kelbrick."

The judge ordered that Rodgers must serve at least four years in prison before being eligible to apply for parole, but should only be released when he was no longer considered a danger to the public.