Alcohol, fists and a knife: previously convicted serviceman back on the defendant's bench

In Mykolaiv a court sentenced a 41-year-old serviceman who, during a dispute in his acquaintance’s apartment, first beat her former partner and then twice struck him with a knife – in the neck and chest. The man fully admitted his guilt and explained his actions by alcohol and a desire to defend the woman. Despite the victim stating he had no claims, the defendant was sentenced to 5 years 6 months of imprisonment.

The verdict was reported 10 September 2026 by the press service of the Central District Court of Mykolaiv. The criminal proceeding was heard by Judge Volodymyr Alieinikov. The court found that the serviceman, who had been previously repeatedly convicted, was in his acquaintance’s apartment on Shevchenko Street in Mykolaiv. After some time her former partner came there.

A quarrel began between the man and the woman. The apartment owner demanded that her former partner move out of the dwelling and return the keys. A 41-year-old serviceman intervened in the conflict. At first he struck the man in the face, after which the man fell onto his back. The defendant sat on top of the victim and dealt him several more blows to the face. The conflict did not end there. According to the circumstances established by the court, the serviceman took a knife and twice struck the man with it – in the neck area and the chest.

In the court hearing the defendant pleaded guilty. He confirmed that he had been with his acquaintance in her apartment, and after the conflict started he decided to defend her and struck her former partner several times with his hands and with a knife. He described his actions as spontaneous. He also explained the incident by the influence of alcoholic beverages. At the same time the position of the victim himself turned out to be unusual. Even during the preparatory court hearing he repeatedly emphasized that he had no claims against the defendant and did not consider his actions wrong.

However, the absence of claims from the victim did not become grounds for exempting the serviceman from criminal liability. The court found him guilty under Part 1 of Article 121 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – intentional grievous bodily harm. The sanction of Part 1 of Article 121 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for 5 to 8 years of imprisonment.

As a result of the consideration, the Central District Court of Mykolaiv sentenced the 41-year-old serviceman to 5 years 6 months of imprisonment.

Earlier we wrote:

• In Mykolaiv a taxi driver was threatened with a knife, beaten and had his car taken: the defendant was sentenced to 9 years
• In Mykolaiv region a man stabbed his wife in the neck: the woman died in hospital
• In Mykolaiv region a man stabbed his stepfather in the chest during a quarrel
• Passions over a dog: in Mykolaiv a woman stabbed a neighbor in the abdomen
• A drunken quarrel ended in a stabbing: in Mykolaiv a repeat offender was sentenced to 8 years