Man stabs wife in chest at Arbroath home after night out

A man has admitted stabbing his wife in the chest at their Arbroath home after a night out.

Tony Cartney turned on Leigh Cartney shortly after they returned to their home in Arbroath, Angus last September.

A judge heard how the couple had been together 24 years at time.

Store manager Cartney had also never been in bother with police before.

Leigh was discovered lying injured on her couch after the attack.

Her husband was eventually discovered hiding in long grass near their home.

The 49 year-old today pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to assaulting his wife to the danger of her life.

Cartney – who had latterly been living elsewhere in Arbroath – was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

Prosecutor Chris McKenna said the couple had been out at a number of local bars with friends before the attack.

Cartney was described as “very intoxicated”.

They had a row at home before Cartney got a knife and stabbed his wife in the chest.

He fled the house before police and paramedics were alerted.

Mr McKenna: “She was traced in the house and was found lying face down on the couch.”

Police went on to follow a blood trail from the property leading them to shrubs 200 metres away.

Cartney was discovered and asked how his wife was.

The court heard Leigh had a wound to her chest which “a millimetre in either direction” could have been fatal.

Cartney later told police he had a “hazy recollection” of returning home.

Mr McKenna: “He said he could not remember what they had been arguing about.

“He said he could not remember the knife being used. He added if it had been him then he was sorry.”

Lord Boyd deferred sentencing for reports.