Gangster's son-in-law jailed for stabbing police informer
Christopher Kavanagh, 29, was jailed for seven years at the High Court in Glasgow
A man has been jailed for seven years after he brutally stabbed another man who went to police with information about his gangster father-in-law.
Christopher Kavanagh, the 29- year-old son-in-law of jailed underworld figure Robert Pickett, attacked Robert Forbes in Paisley, Renfrewshire in August 2017.
Pickett was one of six men locked up for a total of 104 years in May for his role in a savage gangland murder plot.
A judge heard earlier this month how Mr Forbes was targeted after alerting police he had “information” on the 54-year-old.
Kavanagh pled guilty to assaulting Mr Forbes to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of his life.
He had originally faced an attempted murder allegation.
Judge Lord Clark told Kavanagh: “This was a brutal and planned attack.
“You moved to intimidate Mr Forbes, he stumbled and fell and you stabbed him on the face, body and hand.”
Pickett – currently serving a 16 year sentence – was accused of trying to kill Mr Forbes, but had his not guilty plea accepted.
Kavanagh's defence counsel John McIlroy said today: “This case ran in that ran tandem with another involving the former co-accused.
“I wasn’t able to resolve this matter until the other case was resolved.”
The High Court in Glasgow heard there had been “ill feeling” between Mr Forbes and Pickett.
Prosecutor Paul Kearney said: “Not long before the attack, Robert Forbes contacted police to advise he had information to give them regarding the father in law of Kavanagh.”
Kavanagh waitied in his Mercedes 4x4 on August 17 2017 and attacked the victim after he got out his van in Paisley's Causeyside Street.
Mr Kearney: “Around this time, the former co-accused (Pickett) arrived in his vehicle and was observed to cross the road.
“This was in the general direction of Mr Forbes, who appeared to take fright and ran.”
Mr Forbes ended up falling before Kavanagh stabbed him three times on the face, body and hand in a “swift attack” lasting only seconds.
Members of the public in the busy street raced to help the blood-drenched victim.
Mr Forbes was heard stating: “They have got me. They found me.”
He later needed 17 stitches for a facial wound, which left him scarred for life. He also suffered injuries to his stomach and hand.
Kavanagh – who initially fled the scene – was traced through the Mercedes he had driven that day. When he was found and questioned by police he made no comment.
His father-in-law Pickett was said to be part of the Lyons crime clan who targeted associates of the rival Daniel mob.
Kavanagh's name was mentioned during evidence in the 14-week trial.
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