Man is cleared of murder bid rap

A man was cleared of attempted murder yesterday after a jury accepted that he acted in self defence.

William Parkhill, 42, was accused of repeatedly stabbing Sean Jones on the body with a knife on December 10 last year in Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire.

Jurors unanimously found the case against him not proven.

However, before the trial at the High Court in Glasgow Parkhill admitted assaulting a Force Support Officer by spitting on him at Cathcart Police Office on December 11 last year and was jailed for 15 months.

The court heard that Parkhill, who has an extensive record, said – as he was being processed at the charge bar on the attempted murder charge – “Come ahead. Do I look like a first- time offender?”

He then spat on the officer’s shoulder, before being restrained and put into a cell.

Prosecutor Allan Macleod said that Parkhill has two high court convictions for assault and robbery and sheriff court convictions for assault and possession of offensive weapons.

Judge Lady Stacey told Parkhill: “You were taken to a police station and processed by police officers who were simply doing their duty. “Your record is atrocious. “The only appropriate sentence is a custodial one.”

She backdated the sentence to December last year and Parkhill said: “Thank you very much” as he was led away to the cells.

It is believed that Parkhill may be released at the end of this month.