Man handed ten-year jail term for stabbing officer

● Policeman said he was left in ‘fight for my life’ as blade missed vital organs

A man who tried to murder a police officer in a knife attack has been jailed for ten years.

Graeme Davidson, 37, attacked Pc Derek Laing at a property in Lundin Crescent, Tayport, Fife, on 29 June.

The officer said he was left in a “fight for my life” as Davidson stabbed him.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the blade was only stopped by the officer’s breastbone, which prevented it from reaching his vital organs.

Davidson pleaded guilty to attempted murder when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

He was given an extended sentence comprising ten years and three months in prison and three years on licence when he returned to court on Friday.

Sentencing him, Lord Matthews said: “Attempted murder is a serious enough crime in its own right but when the victim is a police officer carrying out his duties it is aggravated to a significant degree.

“The community relies heavily on police officers who often put their lives at risk to protect us. The courts have in turn to protect them.”

At the earlier hearing, the court was told Davidson had been visiting his cousin the previous night and started drinking at about 8:30pm, before a neighbour phoned police a few hours later.

Officers arrived to find Davidson alone and asleep in the bedroom and when he woke up, appearing intoxicated, he questioned why they were there. Pc Laing tried to help Davidson find his clothes before leaving him sitting dressed on the bed. He stood in the property’s hallway by the kitchen door and soon after Davidson, who had not been placed in handcuffs or searched, left the bedroom in a hurry. The officer thought Davidson was rushing to the front door but quickly realised the accused was coming towards him “at speed”, with his right hand raised and holding “a long, slender item”.

Advocate Margaret Barron, prosecuting, said Pc Laing’s initial thought was to hope it was a pen, before realising he was “in a fight for my life” as the knife “made an impact to his chest”.

Reports from other officers described Davidson as “lunging” and “jumping” at their colleague.

Iain Paterson, defending Davidson, said his client accepts “full responsibility”.