Thug who stabbed pal is jailed for 42 months
Ross Murdoch admitted drink and drug-fuelled attack
A violent thug who repeatedly stabbed his pal at a block of flats in Lindsayfield has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Ross Murdoch admitted repeatedly striking Scott Thomson on the head and body with a knife to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment following a row.
Murdoch previously admitted his guilt at the High Court in Glasgow and this week appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh where he was sentenced for the brutal attack.
The drink and drug-fuelled stabbing took place at a block of flats in Catacol Grove in March last year.
Murdoch, of Musgrove Place in Westwood, was originally charged with attempted murder, but his plea to the reduced charge was accepted by the Crown.
Court heard how he managed to slash Mr Thomson on his left forearm and right hand using a kitchen knife from the property. The victim and another man were only safe when they managed to shut a close door on Murdoch leaving him outside the flats.
Sentencing, Lord Turnbull told the 31-year-old his offence was “particularly serious.” He said: “You pled guilty to an offence of assault of a serious nature and you have a number of previous convictions for assault upon your record.”
Murdoch would have faced a five-year jail term for the attack but the sentence was reduced to take account of time he has spent on remand and for his guilty plea.
The court was told that on the evening of the attack, an argument broke out between Murdoch and his victim before both left the flat.
The argument continued as they went downstairs towards the main close door and Murdoch struck out with the weapon he had grabbed from the kitchen.
Neighbours who witnessed the incident contacted police to report the attack.
The victim was taken by ambulance to Hairmyres Hospital where he was found to have a wound to his forearm damaging an artery and further injuries to his hand which had damaged a tendon.
He was transferred to the plastic surgery unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary where his injuries were sutured, nerve damage was repaired and he was given a blood transfusion.
The court heard his injuries were likely to result in permanent scarring and longterm reduced sensation in his hands.
Murdoch was later traced and arrested at his home address following the assault. Defence counsel Gillian Ross said Murdoch – a mechanic and father-of-two – had “little recollection” of the events and was under the influence at the time.
She said: “His actions that day were abhorrent and completely over the top – something that he now bitterly regrets. He is optimistic he will be able to turn his life around for the sake of his young children on his release.”