ANDREW CLARK SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR MURDER IN WHALE HILL

In a tragic and violent incident that unfolded in Whale Hill, Andrew Clark, aged 39, has been handed a life sentence after being convicted of the murder of his long-time friend, John 'Bamber' Donaldson, aged 34. The court heard that the fatal stabbing occurred on November 21 of the previous year, during a heated dispute that erupted over a mountain bike. Clark was found guilty of stabbing Mr. Donaldson in the chest and abdomen, injuries that ultimately led to his death.

According to court reports, Mr. Donaldson managed to stagger to his friend’s residence on Lealholm Walk in Whale Hill, seeking help after the attack. As he arrived, he was able to tell those present, “I've been stabbed,” before succumbing to his injuries later that evening at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. The wound inflicted was particularly severe—a 14-centimeter deep stab to the chest that pierced his heart, causing fatal internal damage.

During the trial, the defendant, Andrew Clark, claimed he was unaware of the severity of his friend’s injuries at the time. He fled the scene, asserting that he did not realize how badly Mr. Donaldson was hurt. Clark also argued that he acted in self-defense, claiming he was “frightened for his life” because he believed his friend was attacking him. The altercation was reportedly triggered after Mr. Donaldson, who had borrowed Clark’s mountain bike, confronted him outside Clark’s home following a trip to the shop. The situation escalated when Mr. Donaldson struck Clark’s Mercedes with a baseball bat, a vehicle Clark had taken without permission. In response, Clark stabbed his friend, leaving him lying on the ground. He then threw the baseball bat at a window belonging to Ms. McElvaney before fleeing the scene.

Further evidence revealed that Clark disposed of the murder weapon by hiding the knife at the home of Ms. Duffy, where DNA analysis later linked him to the weapon. The court also found that Clark possessed a bladed article and was guilty of criminal damage, in addition to murder. It was disclosed that Clark suffers from mental health issues, including depression and PTSD, and has a history of previous convictions for violence and dangerous driving. His family background was also marked by tragedy, with multiple deaths including those of his brother, sister, and father.

In sentencing, the judge emphasized that Clark must serve the entire minimum term of 25 years and 188 days before being eligible for parole, underscoring the seriousness of his crime. Following the verdict, members of Mr. Donaldson’s family expressed a sense of relief and closure. His grandmother remarked, “It's been horrendous, the trial. I'm glad it's over. I'm glad he got that sentence,” while his mother’s statement conveyed the profound grief and loss experienced by the family. The case serves as a stark reminder of how minor disputes can escalate into tragic violence, leaving lasting scars on the community of Whale Hill.