Fife couple jailed for attempted murder with ‘samurai sword’

Victim left with permanent scarring to his face and body after brutal attack

A Fife couple who attacked a man with a samurai-style sword and box cutter during a terrifying attempted murder have been jailed.

Leeanne Napier and Mark Wilson went to the home of their victim on Miller Street, Kirkcaldy, at around 4pm on April 21 as part of an ongoing feud about a watch.

The pair, both 36, launched their bloody attack as soon as the door was opened by Scott Watson, chasing him back inside the property.

Napier lunged towards Mr Watson with the 18-inch blade, slicing through his arm as he desperately tried to parry the blow.

The duo quickly overpowered their victim and pinned him to the floor before Wilson tried to plunge the sword into his chest.

Despite suffering a number of serious injuries to his face and body, the victim managed to grab hold of an ornamental blade which he had in his living room.

Both men then engaged in a sword fight which spilled out on to the street before Wilson and Napier fled the scene.

This incident caused serious alarm to the local community, and we welcome a custodial sentence for Napier and Wilson

Members of the public contacted the police after seeing the victim in the street covered in blood.

Napier was arrested as she made her way to Victoria Hospital in the town and Wilson was snared a short time later at an address on Kilda Crescent.

Police officers carried out a search in the areas surrounding Miller Street and recovered the sword, which had been hidden in the hedge of a property in Windmill Green.

The pair were yesterday jailed at the High Court in Glasgow.

Wilson was handed a 12-year sentence whilst Napier was jailed for 10 years.

Detective Constable Sam Girdwood of Kirkcaldy CID, who led this investigation, said: “This was a vicious and sustained attack which has left the victim with permanent scarring to his face and body.

“Such violence on our streets is unacceptable.

“This incident caused serious alarm to the local community, and we welcome a custodial sentence for Napier and Wilson.

“I want to commend and thank the members of the public who called police and quickly helped us establish the movements of Napier and Wilson.

“This enabled us to secure vital evidence and swiftly trace both the weapons and those responsible.

“Be assured that we will continue to use all resources at our disposal to tackle violence and bring those responsible for such crimes to justice.”