SENTENCING STATEMENTS

Upon sentencing, Lord Cubie made the following remarks:

"You have pled guilty to attempted murder; the victim was your estranged wife.

"The narrative made it clear that there was a degree of foresight in that your travelled from London and arranged to intercept the complainer and your child, by waiting outside the place where they were living; you confronted her and after a brief exchange of words it was clear to the complainer that that you intended to attack her; she tried without success to attract someone’s attention.

"You then perpetrated a sustained attack which involved the repeated use of a knife to attack your defenceless victim; twelve separate injuries are noted. She could have died as a result of your actions. It was plainly through a combination of luck and the intervention of three passers-by that she survived. They bravely disarmed you and held you until the police arrived. They are to be commended for that intervention.

"Your wife was badly injured; she required a chest drain and blood transfusions to stabilise her. She suffered severe physical injuries including scarring to her face and body and suffered profound and deep psychological trauma. Her daily life, sense of security and overall wellbeing have been materially affected.

"Your attack seemed to be motivated by your assessment of the unfairness of your contact with your daughter, and the fact that your wife had not responded to a series of emails. That the attack took place in the presence of your daughter is an aggravating factor.

"I have read the report; what strikes me is that you seem to have limited appreciation of the long term effects on your partner and your child. The focus is on you. While you express a degree of remorse, your focus is on how you have been affected by separation, homelessness and the difficulties in seeing your daughter.

"You have been a useful and contributing member of society, with a stable upbringing but you seemed to have over reached financially when setting up home with your wife in London and this caused financial and relationship problems, leading to the separation, and for you, homelessness.

"You deny having planned the offence; the knife you say was to harm yourself; but you used it to threaten the victim before attacking her; although you express remorse the report suggests little insight.

"I recognise that you have had mental health difficulties, sometimes acute, and that you have taken some steps to address these; but in November last year while feeling suicidal, you did not seek to address these matters; rather you traced and then attacked your wife whose life as I have said was in all probability saved by the intervention of the three men. You still seem to blame her at least in part for ceasing contact rather than yourself for reacting in this way. It is clear from the report that you did not appreciate the importance of continuing with medication and linking with mental health services; your wife has suffered because of that. I note that since your remand you have responded well to the medication provided to help with your mental health.

"To her great credit your wife recognises the background and attributes your behaviour in part to a severe mental health crisis, seeking to prioritise the psychiatric evaluation and help; she described the attack as entirely out of character; but the manner of the assault and the extent of the injuries mean that both culpability and harm were very high, meaning that a custodial sentence is inevitable.

"I will impose an NHO indefinitely not to approach contact or communicate with or attempt to approach contact or communicate with your wife.

"Had you been found guilty after trial I would have imposed a sentence with a custodial element of ten years imprisonment, one year of which relates to the domestic abuse aggravation; due to your plea I will modify that by one quarter ie two years and six months giving a custodial element of seven years and six months.

"But that is not the end of your sentence; you will be subject to an extension period to be served in the community; from the date of your release you will be under licence for a period of eighteen months. The condition of your licence will be fixed by the Scottish Ministers. If during this extension period you fail to comply with the conditions of your licence, it may be revoked and you may be returned to custody for a further period in respect of this case. The court also has power to deal with you if you commit another offence after your release and whilst on licence. The sentence will run from the date of your remand.

"Accordingly the sentence of the court is an extended sentence of nine years with a custodial element of seven years and six months to be served from 12 November 2025."

5 August 2026