Company Christmas parties known as “julebord” in Norway can often get out of hand. One over the weekend ended with one guest charged with attempting to murder a colleague. He faced a custody hearing on Monday.
Norwegian media are full of warnings when the julebord season gets underway in November, because consumption of the alcoholic beverages that accompany traditional Norwegian food can bring out the worst in people. Staff at a hotel in Romerike, northeast of Oslo, had their hands full as they handled five separate Christmas parties with a total of 200 partying employees on Friday night.
Stabbed with scissors
At one of them, a 30-year-old man reportedly got into an argument with a colleague. It ended with him stabbing the colleague, another man, with a pair of scissors.
The incident occurred at the Hurdalsjøen Hotel at Hurdal in Romerike. The 30-year-old was arrested by police after several other guests witnessed the stabbing. The victim was rushed to Akershus University Hospital in Lørenskog, where he was treated for wounds in his back. The wounds were not life-threatening, and he was released from hospital on Sunday, reported newspaper VG.
Police nonetheless have charged his colleague with attempted murder along with assault on the police who arrested him and intent to inflict bodily injury.
Denies criminal liability
Hanne Fauske of the Romerike Police District issued a press release on Sunday stating that the defendant has acknowledged the factual events but denies criminal liability for attempted murder. His defense attorney told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that his client can’t remember all the details of the evening.
Police declined to reveal more details about what led up to the stabbing, or what the defendant has said during questioning by police during the weekend, out of regard for their ongoing investigation.
Criminal courts in Norway have a record of reducing criminal liability for defendants who commit assault while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, especially when the defendant expresses regret and argues that he or she can’t be held responsible for the crime for which they’re charged.
The name of the company hosting the Christmas party was not revealed.
newsinenglish.no/Nina Berglund
