Man is jailed after killing armed robber during home raid bid
AMAN convicted of killing a career criminal was today jailed for five years. Patrick Phinn stabbed Ronald Pattison 17 times during the attack at the 49-year-old’s home in Easterhouse, Glasgow in September 2018.
Pattison, 38, had come into his house armed with a knife while Phinn and his partner Angela McLellan were watching television.
Pattison demanded cash from Miss McLellan then slashed Phinn before he grabbed a blade and fought back.
Phinn was yesterday sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow having been convicted of culpable homicide. He had originally been charged with murder.
His QC said Phinn had “lead a quiet, simple life” – but had been provoked by Pattison, known in the local area as a “man of violence”.
Lord Matthews told Phinn: “It is difficult to think of circumstances where provocation is more appropriate than this.
“This was extreme in the circumstances. However, the jury was satisfied that you went beyond what was necessary.”
The trial heard how Pattison went into Phinn’s home with a knife tied to his left arm.
Pattison wore all black and donned gloves which witnesses said he he did when intending to cause violence to others.
Miss McLellan, 48, recalled: “He was angry. He said he was going to kill 10 people and said you two are the first I’m going to murder.”
Pattison left, but then returned 30 minutes later. He claimed he had acted in self defence.
Miss McLellan said that when Pattison came back she was ‘panicky and scared”.
The witness added: “He said to me: ‘I want your purse and then I’m going to murder the two of you’.
“I just froze. I couldn’t move I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”
Pattison then slashed Phinn, who then got hold of a knife and stabbed him.
Phinn had claimed he was acting in self defence.
Mr Graham, defending, today said Pattison had been armed with what was described as a “SAS knife” when he entered Phinn’s house.
The QC added: “I cannot think of greater provocation than that endured by Patrick Phinn and his partner. Pattison was a man feared in his local community.”
The court also heard today Phinn’s father had passed away over the weekend while he was on remand.