Ayrshire man facing life sentence for murder bid on Catrine shop worker
James McMurdy pleaded guilty to carrying out the attack last November
A man could be facing a life sentence for a “barbaric” murder bid on a female shop worker.
James McMurdy, 40, repeatedly battered Senga Houston with a hammer – even smacking her as she lay prone on the ground.
McMurdy raided the store in Catrine, East Ayrshire desperate for cash as he faced eviction from his flat.
A judge watched horrific footage of the November 2017 attack which left the 63 year-old victim with “life changing” injuries.
Senga spent two months in hospital – and may need medical care for the rest of her life.
The ordeal emerged as McMurdy pled guilty to robbery and attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow.
McMurdy – who already had a history of violence – could face an Order for Lifelong Restriction when he returns to the dock in June.
Senga had worked at the Premier Convenience store in Catrine for around eight years.
She was there alone around 2.40pm last November 5 when McMurdy came in through the back of the shop.
He was clutching a hammer and a knife with his face covered with a piece of bedsheet.
McMurdy moved Senga towards the counter and demanded she open the till.
He eventually stuffed around £500 into his pocket.
The court was then shown CCTV footage of what unfolded next – described by Lord Mulholland as “graphic”.
McMurdy sat in the dock and refused to look at the screens as it was played.
Senga appears distressed as she initially covers her face with her hands.
McMurdy meantime is clocked trying to rip the cover from a cigarette display.
Prosecutor Liam Ewing then told the hearing: “He placed both hands around the hammer, drawing it above his head before striking her causing her to fall to the ground.
“She attempted to cover her head with her hands, but McMurdy moved them away and struck her a further nine times with the hammer.”
This included McMurdy continuing to smack Senga as she lay motionless on the floor.
The thug fled, but a shopper soon came in and heard the blood-soaked victim's groans.
She was rushed to intensive care in Glasgow suffering from “life threatening” injuries.
A large scale hunt was meantime sparked to catch McMurdy.
Police later swooped at his flat and a crazed McMurdy yelled: “Anyone comes in here, they are getting murdered.”
He was also clutching a knife – but one PC eventually convinced him to drop the blade and he was handcuffed.
McMurdy went on to make “full admissions” about the horror attack.
He’s been remanded in custody.