A Penrith man initially charged with attempted murder after two people were attacked and injured with a knife at his neighbours’ home has admitted lesser charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Samuel Hughes, a 46-year-old former Royal Marines Commando, was arrested following an incident inside a house on Brentfield Way in the town on Thursday November 27 2025.
Cumbria police were called at 4.16am after a report that two people inside the address had suffered injuries. Two occupants were said have been injured.
Both were treated at hospital and discharged later that day.
At Carlisle Crown Court today, a list of charges were read to Hughes following the preparation of a psychiatric report.
Hughes — appearing in court over a video link from custody — pleaded not guilty to charges which alleged that he attempted to murder two men on November 27.
Hughes further denied two charges alleging aggravated burglary and the infliction of grievous bodily harm on two men while in possession with a knife; and also pleaded not guilty to illegal possession of a bladed article in public at Brentfield Way.
Hughes did plead guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding the two men with intent to cause them grievous bodily harm; and admitted attempting to wound a woman during the same incident.
A prosecutor said the package of pleas entered by Hughes were an acceptable resolution of the case, and confirmed that no jury trial would be needed.
Defence lawyer Josh Normanton, mitigating, said Hughes had been in a drug psychosis at the time of the offence, and that he had begun to use cocaine fairly recently before this attack.
“He is someone with a great deal of personal mitigation,” said Mr Normanton. “He has been in various military forces, protecting embassies.”
Hughes, of Brentfield Way, Penrith, was a man of previous good character.
“It is a complex case,” added Mr Normanton. “Clearly he faces now a very substantial prison sentence.”
Judge Nicholas Barker adjourned the case, requesting a probation service pre-sentence report and impact statements from the three victims.
Hughes is due to be sentenced at the crown court on May 29 and in the meantime remains remanded in custody.
“You know that, given the seriousness of these charges, that the court will only be looking at the prospect of a custodial sentence,” Judge Barker told Hughes.
“But it is important that the court should be primed of all information to determine the nature of that sentence and the duration of it.”
