Attacker jailed after victim knifed on Perth city street

Aman who stabbed a suspected love rival before terrified shoppers on a Perth street has been jailed. Nicol Gatt admitted the daylight attack outside a Balhousie Street newsagent.

The 27-year-old was caught on CCTV holding victim Steven Holden in a headlock, then knifing him in the leg.

Perth Sheriff Court heard Gatt suspected Mr Holden was in a relationship with his ex-partner.

He armed himself with a blade and followed him to the Premier Balhousie Store where the assault happened just before 10.30am on July 19.

Sheriff William Wood said, despite letters praising Gatt from local church groups, he had no option but to jail him.

Fiscal depute Gail Russell said: “The complainer knows the accused, and they don’t get on.

“At 10.25am Mr Holden was leaving the accused’s ex-partner’s address and heading home when he was approached by the accused.

“He grabbed Mr Holden and pushed him against a wall. He dragged him to the ground and continued to punch him.”

Onlookers tried to intervene and pull the two men apart, the court heard.

“During the assault, Mr Holden felt a sharp pain in his leg. Police who were on mobile patrol in the street were flagged down.

“A member of the public said someone was getting stabbed,” said Ms Russell.

Officers who separated the pair saw Mr Holden had a bloodied nose and a stab wound in his left thigh.

A blood-covered knife was found lying nearby.

Gatt, of Bowton Road, Kinross, appeared for sentencing via video link, having previously admitted assaulting Mr Holden by pushing him against a wall, pulling him to the ground, repeatedly punching his head and stabbing him to his injury.

Solicitor Billy Somerville, who said Mr Holden was not seriously hurt and the wound had not been deep, said his client had been trying to improve his prospects.

“With this case hanging over him, he seems to have done a great deal to try to better himself and move forward with his life,” he said, urging the court to consider alternatives to jail.

Sheriff William Wood told Gatt: “While I understand you have had mental health difficulties, the nature of the charge, and the circumstances of which it happened, are of concern to the court.

“You should be under no illusion that this is very much a serious matter.”

He said: “You followed Mr Holden from your friend’s house, because you thought there was something going on between him and your former partner, and you armed yourself with a knife then carried out the assault.

“In all of these circumstances, there is no other option than a custodial sentence.”

Taking account of the remorse Gatt had shown, Sheriff Wood sentenced him to 16 months in prison.

LOCKED UP: Nicol Gatt admitted attacking his suspected love rival in front of shoppers.