Man who injured off-duty policeman during cocaine-induced psychosis sentenced

The attack took place after the 30-year-old dad of three went to a hotel where he consumed a large amount of alcohol and cocaine and took his shirt off

A three-and-a-half year sentence has been imposed upon a man who injured an off-duty policeman during a episode of cocaine-induced psychosis.

Kyle Knell was handed the sentence at Belfast Crown Court on Friday by Judge Philip Gilpin who divided the term equally between prison and licence.

From Tynan Drive in Newtownabbey, the 30-year old father of three was told his actions caused “significant harm to others.”

On January 6, 2025 Knell went to a hotel with friends where he consumed a large amount of alcohol and cocaine. His behaviour was erratic and he was captured on CCTV running through the reception area with no shirt on.

After leaving the hotel at around 8.45pm, he flagged down a motorist and got dropped off in a residential street in Co Antrim.

A female who recognised Knell was sitting in a parked car outside her parent’s home talking her to police officer partner on the phone when Knell approached the vehicle.

He started banging on her car door shouting “They’re trying to kill me … help me.”

The woman told her partner what was happening and he told her to hang up and get her father. Knell then approached the parents’ front door and pushed his way in shouting “Help me, they’re going to shoot me for ten grand.”

After Knell began vomiting blood an ambulance was called and a short time later the female’s partner arrived at the scene.

Knell shouted: “He’s here to shoot me” then lunged at the off-duty officer and put his hands around his waist.

The officer placed his hand on the grip of his Glock and pushed the gun down to keep it from Knell’s reach. Knell then noticed the weapon and made a grab for it and during a struggle which ensued, the officer slipped on the tiled floor.

As he steadied himself, he saw that Knell had the holster in both hands and he managed to release the gun from the holster.

As the struggle over the gun continued, the officer tried to force it to the floor as Knell was pointing it at his stomach.

The weapon was then discharged, a bullet ricocheted off the floor and fragments stuck the officer in his thigh and his partner in her ankle.

Despite being injured, the officer was able to jam the gun and wrench it from Knell’s grasp.

Knell then fled to a nearby house and after entering by the back door, he encountered a 17-year old male sitting with his 14-year old sister.

He told the male teenager “I’ve been shot and people are after me” and after locking the back door, he got on his knees and begged the teen for help.

As the teen rang the PSNI, Knell grabbed his phone and began talking erratically before ending the call. Police arrived promptly and heard Knell shouting for help from inside the property.

As officers approached the front door, Knell grabbed the 17-year old to stop him from answering. After a few minutes, the teen managed to open the door and Knell was arrested then taken to Antrim Area Hospital.

He was interviewed on January 9 and 10, 2025 and accepted he had consumed a substantial amount of cocaine in the hours before the incident and had experienced paranoia.

When asked what happened concerning the gun, Knell claimed he struggled with the off-duty officer as he believed his life was in danger.

He was also asked if he had spiralled in the period leading up to the incident to which he replied “I wouldn’t say the word spiral, I would say enjoying myself.”

Knell subsequently pleaded guilty to a total of six charges including two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances and false imprisonment.

Following his pleas, Knell told a Probation Officer he knew his actions would have frightened those involved and that he wished to apologise.

Judge Philip Gilpin told Knell that after reading statement written by his victims, it was “evident that you did cause significant harm to others.”

The Belfast Recorder also noted defence submissions that set out Knell’s diagnosis of PTSD, his addiction to cocaine and a conclusion that on the night in question Knell was experiencing an episode of drug-induced psychosis.

Also taken into consideration by the Judge’s was Knell’s troubled childhood, his previously clear criminal record and two character references.

Saying “the custody threshold has quite clearly been passed in this case”, Judge Gilpin imposed the four-and-a-half year sentence and Knell was led from the dock in handcuffs by prison staff.

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