KNIFE THUG BEHIND BARS

Sheriff jails man for five years after blade attack

A Larkhall thug has been jailed for five years after a man suffered horrific injuries in a knife attack.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that Kevin Mckechnie’s victim needed “multiple” stitches to wounds in his face.

He also sustained fractures to his jaw and cheekbone.

Mckechnie, 39, of Scotia Crescent, Larkhall, was convicted of assaulting David Donaghey to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement in February last year. The attack happened at a house in Scotia Crescent.

Mckechnie pinned Mr Donaghey to a sofa, punched him repeatedly, threatened him, pressed a knife against his face and struck him repeatedly with the blade

The victim was taken to University Hospital Wishaw after the attack then transferred to a facial injuries specialist at Monklands Hospital.

He had an 8cm cut to his forehead, a 6cm gash to his right cheek and a 4cm cut to his left cheek. Medical opinion is that he will be scarred for life.

Mckechnie denied being responsible for the attack and put forward a special defence of alibi. But after a two-day trial the jury took less than 40 minutes to return a majority guilty verdict.

The court heard Mckechnie has a criminal record stretching back 23 years.

It includes three convictions for assault and one for possession of a knife.

Sheriff Marie Smart told him that, given the serious nature of the latest assault and his record, she had to impose a substantial custodial sentence.