Machete maniacs left victim’s hand hanging off during crazed attack on Paisley couple and three-year-old boy
Two machete thugs are behind bars after unleashing “a level of violence beyond comprehension” on a Paisley couple.
Brian Brook and Josh McIntyre, both 26, butchered Donna Galloway, 34, and Christopher Mellon, 27, in their Ferguslie Park home.
The fiends, described by police as “vile and violent men” left Mr Mellon’s left hand hanging off – then turned the blades on a three-year-old boy.
The pair were convicted of attempted murder yesterday after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Detective Sergeant Ross MacDonald helped lead the hunt to catch the fiends.
He said: “This has been one of the most horrifying attacks I have seen.
“They forced entry, in broad daylight, to a house with young children within and displayed such a level of violence
beyond comprehension.
“I would personally like to thank the family and the witnesses for their courage in coming forward and giving evidence.
“It has been an incredibly difficult time. The local community of Ferguslie Park was shocked by this heinous crime and offered its full cooperation and support.
“They proved that people will not stand by and accept such vicious attacks. There is nothing I can say to convey the horror this family has suffered at the hands of these two vile and violent men.
“It is something they will live with for the rest of their lives.”
The attackers burst into the flat in Ferguslie Park Avenue with a mystery accomplice when the couple were asleep.
They were wearing white forensic suits.
Two children watched on as they rained down a frenzy of machete blows during the ordeal on September 24 last year.
Christopher was left lying on the floor in a pool of blood. His hand was left almost completely detached and he suffered a fractured skull.
Donna told the court how she begged them to leave.
She said: “I put my hands out and said, ‘ Please don’t do this.’ I just remember a laugh, or, like, ‘ Yes’.
“I turned round and all three of them were all round Chris.”
The men fled the bloodbath scene after turning the knives on Donna and a frightened toddler.
Neighbours rushed to help and wrapped Christopher’s injured hands with towels until paramedics arrived.
Donna, who suffered slashes to her head and shoulder, said in court she recognised one of the attackers because of his “laughing evil eyes”.
She explained: “There is something distinctive about his eyes, but I don’t know what it is.”
Christopher was rushed to Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary.
He needed extensive surgery lasting 22 hours to reattach his fingers and mend his damaged hand.
Prosecutor Craig Findlater asked the forklift truck driver how his life had been affected.
He replied: “I can’t hold my sons’ hands crossing the road. I don’t have full movement or control in my hands. I am going to lose my job.
“My employers are terminating my contract.”
Defence lawyer John McElroy claimed the pair had been arrested over a case of “mistaken identity” but a jury convicted both men of attempted murder and assault on a child.
They have been remanded in custody pending sentencing next month in Edinburgh.
After the verdict, a woman – thought to be a relative of one of the pair – yelled at jurors: “I hope you can sleep at night”.
McIntyre, of Pollok, Glasgow, looked close to tears as he was led to the cells.
Pock- faced Brook, a spray painter, of Thornliebank in East Renfrewshire, already had convictions for assault and robbery as well as having an offensive weapon.
Lord Brodie deferred sentencing for reports.
Detective Sergeant Ross MacDonald