Man tried to ‘butcher’ victim in hostel attack

A man knocked his victim unconscious and tried to stab him as he lay on the ground shouting “I want to butcher him”.

Witnesses to the attack said Jack Gren “looked like he was going to stab his victim to death” during the vicious assault in a hostel in St Andrews.

Gren and his victim were completely unknown to each other – but met in a TV room at the establishment where both were staying while working in the Fife town.

Initially they and others sat chatting and drinking amiably.

However, an argument broke out between the victim and another man prompting a brawl to erupt.

Depute fiscal John Adams told Dundee Sheriff Court that Gren began to wade in with punches and kicks, knocking his victim to the floor.

Mr Adams said: “The accused then punches and kicks him repeatedly on his head and body whilst he was on the ground, rendering him unconscious.

“The accused then left the room and returned a short time later holding a five-inch kitchen knife.

“He saw the complainer lying on the ground and shouted ‘I want to butcher him’ and brought the knife down towards him.

“A witness said it looked like he was going to stab him to death.”

Gren, 22, of Glasgow, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault on June 8. Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence for reports. Gren was released on bail.