18 month jail term for screwdriver stab attack DIY tool used as weapon

A woman who stabbed a man with a screwdriver in Gowkthrapple has been jailed for 18 months.

Christina Madden was also found to be in possession of a knife when police detained her.

Madden, 35, a prisoner, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last Thursday. She admitted assaulting William Macguire on a path between Birkshaw Brae and Stanhope Place while on bail on August 28.

Madden also admitted having a knife and assaulting a police officer by spitting on his face and trying to punch him.

Scott King, prosecuting, said Madden, Mr Maguire and another person had been drinking at a flat in Birkshaw Brae.

There was a disagreement and Madden left, taking a screwdriver she’d spotted from a window ledge.

Mr Maguire and another person left the flat later and were approached by Madden.

Mr King told the court: “The accused produced the screwdriver from the waistband of her trousers and struck Mr Maguire on the back and neck with it.

“An ambulance was called and he was treated at the scene. He declined further medical treatment.

“A call was made to the police and CCTV operators were alerted. The accused was seen on the cameras to make her way to a playpark and police found her there.

“She produced the screwdriver, was instructed to drop it and threw it on to the grass.

“Madden spat at a police officer and tried to punch him on the face as she was being placed in the police vehicle.

“A lock back knife fell from her sock as she was being taken out of the vehicle at Motherwell police station.”

Defence agent Stephen Mcquillan said Madden’s background was “very harrowing”.

That being so, she realised carrying weapons was “unacceptable” and acknowledged “the link between alcohol and her behaviour”.

Mr Mcquillan said his client has been “engaging” with staff while in prison and suggested a period of supervision after her release would be appropriate.

Sheriff Ray Small pointed out that Madden has previous convictions for offences involving knives.

He told her: “I understand there is a background to your offending but, background or not, you cannot continue to carry weapons and assault people with them.”

The sheriff jailed Madden for 18 months, reduced from two years because of her guilty plea, and backdated the sentence to August 29.

She will be under supervision for nine months on her release.