Jailed after stabbing in coffee table row

A violent Coatbridge thug who “looked like the devil”when he stabbed his partner 12 times in a drunken row over a coffee table has been jailed for six years.

Francis McCudden, 54, will be on licence for five years after his release from prison because of the risk he poses to the public.

McCudden, who began taking both alcohol and drugs at primary school, was high on heroin and drink when he launched the frenzied attack.

Judge Lady Scott told McCudden: “Medical opinion is that your victim could have died.

“She now has restricted mobility, is in pain and is too frightened to go out alone.”

The High Court in Glasgow heard that McCudden lashed out with two knives after his 34-year-old victim complained about a smashed coffee table.

McCudden admitted attempting to murder his partner at their flat in Red Bridge Court, Coatbridge, on March 4.

The woman was awaken by a thumping and went through to the living room to find the table in pieces.

McCudden told her:“The way I see it, it’s a £30 table. We can get another in the morning.”

When the woman continued to remonstrate, McCudden attacked her. The couple had been in a relationship since June 2017.

The victim said:“He looked like a devil. I thought he was punching me then I realised he was holding a knife in each hand.”

The woman was worried that McCudden might stab her eyes or slash her face and put up her hands to protect her face and was slashed on one of her hands.

The traumatised victim managed to stagger out of the house and knocked on a neighbour’s house to ask for help.

She was covered in blood from head to toe and collapsed on the eighth floor landing.

Doctors at University Hospital Monklands found that McCudden’s partner had four stab wounds to her right leg, one to her thigh, one to her left leg, two to the abdomen, one to the left breast and three to her back.

If left untreated, her injuries could have resulted in sepsis or death, the court heard.

Police found McCudden sitting drunk on a sofa in the living room rambling about money.

Prosecutor Maryam Labaki said: “He told them her injuries were self-inflicted. He made no reply when he was charged with attempted murder.”

Solicitor advocate Rhonda Anderson said:“My client is remorseful. He wrote a letter to his victim apologising and expressing remorse.

“He realises how atrocious his behaviour was and was shocked at what he is capable of.

“He was introduced to drugs and alcohol at primary school.

“At the time of this offence he was in a very precarious psychological state.”