A former champion of the popular TV show “Countdown” allegedly attacked another former contestant with a kitchen knife during a fan club event, a court revealed.
John Cowen, 31, reportedly made an aggressive noise before charging at Thomas Carey and stabbing him in the arm at a gathering of the Focal Countdown Group in Blackpool on September 14 last year.
The incident was captured on CCTV footage showing Cowen entering the room and targeting Carey before being subdued by other attendees. Cowen, deemed mentally unfit for trial, is undergoing treatment in a hospital.
The court proceedings aim to ascertain whether Cowen committed the act of stabbing Carey, with no focus on his intentions. The prosecution described the attack in detail based on the video evidence presented.
Following the altercation, Cowen was restrained by club members until law enforcement intervened and discovered another knife on his person. Carey received medical attention for his wound and had known Cowen from previous Countdown events.
Both individuals had participated in the quiz show, with Cowen achieving notable success in 2017 and Carey appearing as an “octochamp” since 2015. Cowen faces charges of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in an ongoing legal process.