Teenager who stabbed disabled Motherwell man in his own home jailed for 18 months
The victim feared he would die during the attack in September 2018
A teenager who repeatedly stabbed a wheelchair-bound disabled man in his Motherwell home has been locked up for 18 months.
The High Court in Glasgow heard the then 15-year-old forced his way into 54-year-old George Crozier's home just a week after he was freed by police for involvement in raids at a pub and shop in Uddingston.
Mr Crozier, feared he was going to die during the brutal attack in September 2018 at his home in the New Stevenson area.
At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lady Stacey told the teenager, who can’t be named for legal reasons: “You went to the house of a man you knew was disabled and smashed a window in the door to get in and attacked him. This is a very serious offence. Just a few weeks later you went to another house and stole items.”
The court heard that after the raids on the pub and shop the teenager was released by police and told to appear at court.
Prosecutor Bill McVicar said: “As he was 15 at the time this undertaking was cancelled to allow consideration to the appropriate procedure to follow.”
This meant the boy was back out on the streets. After the attack on George, despite fingerprint evidence he was again freed.
He went on to steal from a house where a schoolgirl was home alone in November 2018.
The boy was then charged and allowed home and within 30 minutes was back at the girl's door threatening to assault a relative.
He was arrested, later bailed by a sheriff – and went on to breach a supposedly strict curfew three times.
The boy – now 16 – admitted eight charges including assaulting and robbing George to the danger of his life, housebreaking and theft.
George was at home in New Stevenson, Motherwell, in the early hours of September 8, 2018, when he heard windows being smashed.
He tried to prevent the teenager forcing his way in, but was stabbed with a piece of glass, causing serious injuries to his left arm.
Mr McVicar said: “The boy was very aggressive...smashing side windows and panels in the front door.
“Mr Crozier was terrified for his life. He tried to defend himself as best he could.”
The boy ransacked the house, tried to drag a safe from a cupboard and stole tobacco.
His prints were found in the house and George identified him as his attacker, but. despite this a decision was taken to release him.
He had previously been freed following a theft at The Rolling Barrell pub and an attempted break in at a Scotmid shop, both Uddingston.
He was then able to steal three watches and a PlayStation 4 console from a house in Motherwell, Lanarkshire last November 27.
He was released to be “left in the care of his parents.' and 30 minutes later was back at the house threatening one of the occupants.
The boy was arrested again and this time appeared in court, but was bailed and ordered to stay indoors between 8pm and 7am each day, but flouted the curfew three times
Solicitor advocate Rhona Anderson, defending, told the court the boy had been taking “street valium” at the time.
She added: “He was under pressure to pay a drug debt. He accepts his behaviour was despicable.
“He did not take a weapon with him to Mr Crozier's house. He panicked and a used a piece of glass to stab him. He is remorseful.”
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.