Thug jailed for Samurai sword attack on frail disabled pal
A THUG tried to kill his wheelchair- bound friend – then later got him to stump up for “the biggest burger you could get”.
John Graham, 41, repeatedly struck frail Robert Paterson with a Samurai sword in January this year.
The 51- year- old had recently allowed Graham to live with him at his home in Drumchapel.
Mr Paterson – who has a spinal condition and is around 4ft in height – was scarred for life by the unprovoked attack. But brazen Graham asked to meet his victim when he got out of hospital – and made him fork out for a McDonald’s meal.
Graham was yesterday jailed for eight years and nine months at the High Court in Glasgow after being convicted of attempted murder, which he had denied.
Jurors heard the men had been in Mr Paterson’s home before he was left “dumbstruck,” when Graham suddenly lashed out.
He repeatedly struck his friend on the head with the sword.
The victim – who uses an electric wheelchair – recalled: “I was shocked by the attack. I had to think fast to get out the house.”
A blood- soaked Mr Paterson managed to escape to a neighbour’s home.
He told the trial: “I wanted out to save my own life.”
Mr Paterson spent five days in hospital being treated for a number of wounds.
He believed his attacker, meantime, was going hand himself into police.
But, after getting out of hospital, he said Graham got in touch, wanting to meet at a McDonald’s in the city’s Maryhill.
Prosecutor Duncan McPhie asked: “What happened there?”
Mr Paterson: “He said he was scared. He got the food that he ordered – obviously, I paid as he had no money.
“He got the biggest burger you could get and cheesy sticks.”