Matteo Bottarelli, a hospital maintenance worker, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for a horrifying attack on his colleagues involving a pickaxe and a scalpel. Bottarelli, 44, was convicted of two counts of attempted murder and one count of grievous bodily harm with intent after assaulting two co-workers at Central Middlesex Hospital in June 2023.
During the attack, Bottarelli uttered chilling words to one of his victims, saying, “Today is your lucky day,” before slashing him in the neck with a scalpel. The other victim sustained severe injuries, resulting in a lifelong brain injury. Bottarelli had previously admitted to charges of affray and possession of an offensive weapon.
Metropolitan Police Officer Detective Constable Jacob Eyres, commenting on the conviction, emphasized the unprovoked nature of the attack and the threat Bottarelli posed not only to his colleagues but also to public safety. Eyres stated, “This was an unprovoked attack on people working to help others, and it is right that Bottarelli will now face the consequences of his actions.
The sentencing took place at Wood Green Crown Court, marking the conclusion of a legal process aimed at bringing justice to the victims and accountability to the perpetrator.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of workplace safety and the potential consequences of unchecked violence in professional settings.