Man says he tried to kill PC with a cleaver

A man has admitted trying to kill one police officer and endangering the life of another in a meat cleaver attack.

David Dowson, 26, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder PC Josh McCorry by striking him outside his home in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, in June.

PC McCorry, 23 at the time of the attack, had the tip of his right thumb sliced off and suffered a 3cm cut to the top of his head. He returned to work after two and a half months.

Mr Dawson was originally charged with attempting to murder both officers but his plea was accepted to the lesser charge of assaulting PC Glenn Coletta to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the officers were “terrified and feared for their lives”.

Advocate depute Margaret Barr said Dowson shouted: “Aye I chopped your cops up with a cleaver,” as he was put in a police van following the attack.

She said the two officers were on duty and were returning a child to the block of flats where Dowson lived on June 14, but this matter was not related to him.

Dowson allowed PC Coletta, aged 24 at the time, access to the close before pulling out the meat cleaver and attacking both officers.

One managed to escape through the door while the other jumped out of a window to get away.

Reinforcements arrived and eventually managed to handcuff and arrest Dowson.

PC Coletta required surgery for a severe right hand injury, which has left scarring. He was off work for four and a half months.

Sentence on Dowson, who has seven previous convictions, was deferred for reports.