Kyle Knell Jailed After Cocaine-Induced Psychosis Incident Left Off-Duty Police Officer Injured
BELFAST, Northern Ireland — A 30-year-old father of three has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after an incident involving an off-duty police officer’s firearm during what the court heard was an episode of cocaine-induced psychosis.
Kyle Knell, from Tynan Drive in Newtownabbey, was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, September 11, 2026. Judge Philip Gilpin divided the 42-month sentence equally between custody and licence.
The court heard that the incident occurred on January 6, 2025, after Knell had consumed a substantial amount of alcohol and cocaine.
Erratic Behavior Before the Incident
According to evidence presented to the court, Knell had been staying at a hotel with friends, where he consumed a large quantity of alcohol and cocaine.
His behavior subsequently became increasingly erratic. CCTV footage reportedly captured him running through the hotel reception area without a shirt.
After leaving the hotel at approximately 8:45 p.m., Knell was dropped off in a residential area in County Antrim.
He approached a woman who was sitting in a parked vehicle outside her parents’ home while speaking by telephone with her partner, an off-duty police officer.
Knell reportedly began banging on the vehicle and shouting that people were trying to kill him.
Confrontation With Off-Duty Officer
The woman contacted her partner and explained what was happening. The officer later arrived at the property.
The court heard that Knell then pushed his way into the parents’ home while continuing to claim that people were trying to kill him.
After Knell began vomiting blood, an ambulance was called.
When the off-duty officer arrived, Knell reportedly became agitated and shouted that the officer had come to shoot him.
Knell then lunged toward the officer and grabbed around his waist.
The officer attempted to keep his personal firearm out of Knell’s reach, but a struggle followed.
Gun Discharged During Struggle
During the confrontation, Knell reportedly grabbed the officer’s firearm.
The officer fell on the tiled floor during the struggle and subsequently saw that Knell had the holstered weapon in his hands.
The officer managed to release the firearm from its holster, but the struggle continued.
According to evidence presented in court, Knell pointed the weapon toward the officer’s stomach before the firearm discharged.
The bullet struck the floor and fragments reportedly injured both the officer and a woman at the property.
The officer suffered an injury to his thigh, while the woman was injured in the ankle.
Despite being wounded, the officer managed to secure the weapon and take it away from Knell.
Knell Fled the Scene
Following the shooting, Knell fled to a nearby property.
He entered through a back door and encountered a 17-year-old boy who was inside with his 14-year-old sister.
Knell reportedly told the teenager that he had been shot and that people were after him.
The teenager attempted to contact police, but Knell took his phone and ended the call.
When police arrived, Knell was reportedly heard shouting for help from inside the property.
Officers eventually entered the home and arrested him. He was subsequently taken to Antrim Area Hospital.
Drug-Induced Psychosis Raised in Court
During police interviews conducted on January 9 and 10, 2025, Knell acknowledged that he had consumed a substantial amount of cocaine before the incident and described experiencing paranoia.
The court later heard that assessments concluded he had been experiencing an episode of drug-induced psychosis at the time.
The defense also presented information concerning Knell’s PTSD, cocaine addiction, troubled childhood and previously clear criminal record.
Two character references were also taken into consideration during sentencing.
Guilty Pleas
Knell pleaded guilty to six charges, including two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances and false imprisonment.
Following his guilty pleas, Knell reportedly told a probation officer that he understood how frightening his actions had been and expressed remorse toward those affected.
Police Describe Incident as “Terrifying”
Detective Chief Inspector Michael O’Loan described the incident as a terrifying ordeal.
He said the off-duty officer required hospital treatment and continued to experience physical effects from the incident, although he had since been able to return to work.
Police also praised the officers who responded, saying they acted quickly to arrest Knell and prevent a potentially wider threat to the public.
Judge Says Custody Threshold Was Met
Judge Philip Gilpin said statements from the victims demonstrated that Knell’s actions had caused significant harm.
The judge concluded that the custody threshold had clearly been reached before imposing the 42-month sentence.
Knell was subsequently led from the dock in handcuffs by prison staff.
A Case Involving Drugs, Mental State and Serious Violence
The case highlights the potentially dangerous consequences of severe intoxication and drug-induced psychosis. While the court considered Knell’s mental state, addiction and personal history as part of the sentencing process, the seriousness of the incident was reflected in the custodial sentence.
The off-duty officer, another injured woman and other people present were placed at significant risk during the confrontation.
Knell will now serve the custodial portion of his sentence before being subject to the licence portion ordered by the court.
The case has now concluded with Knell’s sentencing, although the physical and psychological effects of the incident continue to be felt by those involved.
