Man who repeatedly stabbed man in row about dogs jailed
Martin Fitzpatrick pled guilty to the attempted murder of Alyn Stocks following a confrontation in Shettleston, Glasgow
A man who tried to kill a man in Glasgow after a row over dogs turned violent has been jailed for six years.
Martin Fitzpatrick, 27, repeatedly stabbed Alyn Stocks following a confrontation in Shettleston in July last year.
The High Court in Glasgow was told that Fitzpatrick's cousin was a neighbour of the victim.
Both Mr Stocks and the woman had been in a dispute about dog fouling in the close, with each blaming the other for it.
The day before the murder bid there had been another row.
First offender Fitzpatrick got involved after driving with other relatives to Budhill Avenue, Glasgow.
There was an argument between them and Mr Stocks after he gesticulated at them as he walked along the street.
Fitzpatrick then produced a knife and brutally attacked. Mr Stocks, 40, stabbing him 10 times.
Fitzpatrick, of the city's Easterhouse, pled guilty to attempted murder at Budhill Avenue, Glasgow, on July 28, last year.
Judge Lord Beckett told Fitzpatrick: “I note your expressions of remorse. However, you armed yourself with a knife and used it repeatedly on your victim. It is only a matter of pure chance that no internal organs were damaged,
“This court has made it clear what the consequences will be of knife crime. This sentence is being imposed to deter you and others from carrying and using knives. The public must be protected.”
The court heard that during the incident Mr Stocks jumper ended up over his head and he was unable to see what was happening. He felt blows to his body which he thought were punches.
At one point the jumper came down from his face and he saw Fitzpatrick with the knife.
Mr Stocks realised he had been stabbed and neighbours called an ambulance and gave him towels to stop the bleeding.
He has a permanent scar on his face and from exploratory surgery to discover if his injuries were life-threatening.
Mr Stocks has suffered no lasting physical difficulties, but says he feels uneasy and anxious whenever he is walking about.