A man who inflicted “life-changing” injuries to his neighbour in a knife attack which started as a row over parking has been jailed.
Stephen McAulay stabbed James Duncan “multiple times” in the head and body outside their homes in Glasgow on May 13, 2024.
The dispute over a parking space on Moorfoot Street originally escalated after bus driver McAulay sustained a minor face injury.
However, the 35-year-old then returned to the scene with a blade.
Judge Lord Young told McAulay said: “Whatever the rights and wrongs of that dispute, you would not let the matter rest.”
Mr Duncan, a crane operator, required emergency surgery due to a chest wound and the injuries to his head gave him a “significant” loss of vision.
The judge branded the injuries “life-changing” and said the attack seemed “to be caused more by intoxication and loss of face than anything else”.
Last month, MacAulay pleaded guilty to attempted murder at Glasgow’s High Court.
Stephen McAulay (pictured) stabbed James Duncan multiple times during the altercation
|
POLICE SCOTLAND
On Tuesday, the judge sentenced him to seven-and-a-half years in prison at the Edinburgh High Court.
McAulay’s claim of self-defence was dismissed by Lord Young, who said: “You went looking for your victim to continue the argument, and you took a knife with you that you were prepared to use.”
He also referenced Mr Duncan’s victim impact statement, saying: “He will struggle to return to work. These were truly life-changing injuries that you have inflicted.”
Defence solicitor Ross Yuill previously said it was concerning that such an attack had arisen from “what appeared to be a relatively minor neighbour dispute”.
NEIGHBOUR ROWS – READ MORE:
The dispute was over a parking space on Moorfoot Street
|
He added: “It is almost inexplicable that this could not have been dealt with in a far more appropriate fashion.
Mr Yuill said that his client had experienced custody for the first time and found it challenging.
He continued: “The consequence for him will be a period of custody, but also he will miss the birth of his child.”
He concluded that McAulay was “sorry” for his actions and “wishes again to offer his apologies to the complainer, having had significant time to reflect on his actions”.
Stephen McAulay was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh
|
SCOTTISH COURTS AND TRIBUNALS SERVICE
Detective Inspector Gary Cassidy said: “McAulay’s actions were extremely violent and have had a profound and lasting impact on the victim.
“He will now face the consequences of this appalling attack. I hope this sentence sends a clear message that such violence is completely unacceptable.”
McAulay was told by Lord Young that he would have faced a ten-year prison sentence if he had not admitted his crime.