Fredrick Edward Warren avoids immediate jail after stabbing two men trying to stop DV attack in Gnowangerup

A 32-year-old man who savagely stabbed two older men when they heroically intervened in a domestic violence attack at a Great Southern home has been spared jail, despite being told it was only by the “grace of God” that he did not kill someone. Fredrick Edward Warren used a hunting knife to inflict chest and neck wounds to one man about 8pm on March 11 inside a Gnowangerup home. Another man received three stab wounds to his arm and knuckle. Warren appeared in Albany Magistrates Court via video link from Albany Regional Prison on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful wounding and one count of unlawful aggravated common assault. Police prosecutor Sergeant Alan Dean told the court Warren and his 31-year-old partner were at their Bell Street home on the night of March 11 socialising with friends after a funeral. “The accused and victim got into a verbal and physical fight,” Sgt Dean said. “The accused took hold of the woman and aggressively dragged her out of the house.” Sgt Dean told the court the stabbing took place after two men at the gathering tried to help the woman. Warren stabbed the first man to the left side of the neck near his voice box and upper torso, Sgt Dean said. A second man also attempted to intervene and was “stabbed three times” to the right arm and left knuckle. Warren then fled the scene, Sgt Dean said. Emergency services attended the property where the victims received first aid treatment. The victims received “minor injuries” and were taken to Katanning hospital, before being transferred to Albany Health Campus and then discharged over the weekend. On Saturday, March 12 the father of a one-year-old child was arrested and taken into custody. Sgt Dean said the two men had tried to help and in return “received injuries from a weapon”. “It was by the grace of God the accused is not facing far more serious charges,” he said. “It’s pure luck there wasn’t more significant injuries, if not worse.” “Community protection is important...prison is absolutely appropriate.” Defence lawyer Kyah Langdon said Warren had become extremely intoxicated after consuming excessive alcohol drinks. Ms Langdon said Warren was wearing a “bum bag” and reached inside for his hunting knife. He kept the knife on him because he “hunts kangaroos”, Ms Langdon said. Following a pre-sentence report a community corrections officer told the court Warren had been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome and cognitive efficiencies. At the gathering Warren had become uncomfortable after becoming “jealous of his partner’s social competencies”. He tried to get her to leave but his partner of three years wanted to stay and Warren “retaliated”, the court was told. Warren also said he was now “worried to return to Gnowangerup” fearing people would “seek retribution”. Magistrate Dianne Scaddan labelled the injuries as “indiscriminate”. “You could have caused death,” she said. Magistrate Scaddan sentenced Warren to a 10 month jail term, suspended for 12 months. During her sentencing remarks, Ms Scaddan took into account Warren’s difficult personal circumstances, his early plea and acknowledgement that he needed help with alcohol and drug use. He was also placed on a 12 month intensive supervision order for the assault. Warren will be required to complete alcohol counselling.