This chilling incident revolves around a seemingly unprovoked attack on a shop owner by a nurse using a stolen paralytic drug. Gary Lewis, the owner of a record store in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was unexpectedly assaulted by Darren Harris, a 57-year-old nurse, who injected him with Rocuronium, a powerful muscle relaxant. The attack, captured on video, shows Lewis collapsing outside his shop after Harris injected him with the drug in the buttock. Harris, who had stolen the drug and syringe from James Cook Hospital where he worked, initially claimed he had injected Lewis with water, intending only to “give him a fright.” However, the severity of the drug’s effects and Harris’s calculated actions painted a different picture.
Rocuronium, typically used in controlled operating room settings with breathing assistance, can be lethal if administered without proper medical support. Harris’s injection left Lewis completely paralyzed, unable to communicate while remaining fully conscious of the terrifying ordeal. The victim recounted the horror of experiencing paralysis while hearing the panicked voices of those trying to help him. The rapid onset of the drug’s effects could have easily resulted in Lewis’s death if he had not managed to stumble out of his shop and alert passersby. The incident highlighted the two profound fears of a random, violent attack and the terrifying experience of being paralyzed while conscious.
The prosecution emphasized the chilling nature of the attack, describing it as an unprovoked and indiscriminate act of extreme violence perpetrated by a complete stranger in broad daylight. The victim’s vulnerability, being rendered completely paralyzed and unable to communicate while remaining conscious, further amplified the heinous nature of the crime. The prosecution stressed the sheer luck that allowed Lewis to survive. Had he not managed to exit his shop and cry for help, he likely would have died alone and unnoticed, his death potentially attributed to natural causes.
The swift response of paramedics played a crucial role in saving Lewis’s life. He went into respiratory arrest and lost consciousness shortly after leaving the shop. The paramedics’ immediate administration of CPR reversed the effects of the drug, preventing a tragic outcome. Medical experts confirmed that without this prompt intervention, Lewis would have died within minutes. The incident had a profound and lasting impact on Lewis and his family, friends, and colleagues. In his victim impact statement, he expressed gratitude for the support he received while acknowledging the irreversible changes the attack brought to his life.
The trial revealed that Harris had been a customer in Lewis’s shop a few days prior to the attack, but there was no indication of any conflict or animosity between them. The seemingly random nature of the attack heightened the sense of fear and vulnerability within the community. The court heard how Harris’s actions were a gross misuse of his medical knowledge and access to controlled substances. His initial lies about injecting Lewis with water were quickly exposed by the severity of the victim’s condition and the subsequent discovery of the stolen Rocuronium and medical equipment. The prosecution successfully argued that Harris’s actions constituted attempted murder, given the potentially lethal consequences of injecting someone with Rocuronium outside of a controlled medical setting.
The jury found Harris guilty of attempted murder, a verdict that reflected the gravity of his actions and the potential for a tragic outcome. The judge will determine the sentencing at a later date. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by individuals who misuse their access to controlled substances and highlights the importance of vigilance and swift action in responding to such incidents. The incident has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the victim, his community, and the wider public, raising questions about the security of controlled substances and the potential for misuse by those entrusted with their handling.