Dad-of-two jailed for murder bid on love rival

A dad-of-two who stabbed a a love rival in a brutal murder bid was jailed for nine years. Kevin Best, 30, attacked Michael Coyle - and told him: "You are not in the ground yet - but you will be."

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Michael had been in an on-off relationship with 19-year old Demi Freeman and she started seeing Best.

Best flew into a rage when he found 24-year-old Michael at Demi's flat.

Michael was left "drenched in blood" after Best repeatedly lashed out with a broken piece of glass

Best was convicted of attempted murder after trial, but claimed he was defending himself during the incident at the flat in Lawrence Street, Greenock, Inverclyde, on May 30, last year.

Judge Michael O'Grady QC told Best: “From the evidence and the verdict this was an unprovoked and horrific attack if you did not intend to kill your victim, you were at least utterly indifferent to the consequences.”

Judge O'Grady ordered Best to be monitored in the community for three years after his release from prison.

Defence counsel Janice Green said: “The danger to life was potential rather than actual. The accused went to the flat unarmed and there was no plan. This was a crime of passion, if you like,m caused by his feelings for Miss Freeman.”

Jurors heard how Michael's relationship with Demi ended in late 2017 and she dated Best.

But, the court was told was told Michael and Demi got back together in 2018.

Michael said he was at the teenager's flatwhen she came home with Best .

The victim told prosecutor Chris McKenna what then happened was "a blur".

Michael said: "He was telling me to leave the house. He said that he wanted to stay there.

"I said: 'I'm not leaving'. ."

Best attacked Michael, who initially thought he was being punched.

Michael recalled: "He got me on the neck and that was when the blood was spurting out."

The victim believed he had been struck with "broken glass".

During the attack Best yelled at Michael: "This is not over. You are not in the ground yet, but you will be."

Jurors were shown graphic photos of Michael's numerous injuries including a large gash to his head.

Best claimed that Michael struck him with a baseball bat first, but the jury did not believe him

.In evidence Best said that he and Demi had had a lovely day in a pub before heading to her house.

Best said: " It was a lovely day. The atmosphere was great. She gave me a kiss."

He said he went with "beautiful" Demi back to her flat so she could get changed before they went to a barbecue.

Best has previous convictions for violence.