Sentencing postponed as Temple Bar attempted murderer seeks new lawyer

Monday 31 October 2022

The sentencing of a 58-year-old man, who stabbed a fellow pubgoer in the pool room of the Temple Bar in a “revenge” attack, has been postponed after the convict decided he wanted a new lawyer.

Paul Anthony Hadikin was unanimously found guilty of attempted murder by a jury after a four-day trial in July this year.

He thrust a large kitchen knife into the stomach of the 35-year-old victim shortly after 21:00 on 3 December last year in the Temple Bar on Stopford Road.

Earlier that evening, Hadikin and the victim had argued, which ended with Hadikin receiving a headbutt which split his lip and cracked two teeth.

Pictured: The stabbing took place in the Temple Bar on Stopford Road, St. Helier.

Knocked to the floor, Hadikin quickly got up and left the pub. Less than 15 minutes later, he returned with a knife. He then stabbed the victim and left.

Returning home, he sent WhatsApp messages to family members, saying in one: “I’ve just killed somebody.” In another, he said: “Help. He is dead.”

Hadikin, who was represented in trial by Advocate David Steenson, asked for today’s sentencing to be postponed to give him adequate time to seek new legal representation.

Pictured: The trial is expected to last for the rest of this week.

He will next appear before the court this Friday in order to set a new date for his sentencing.

For the meantime, Hadikin will continue to be remanded in custody at La Moye.