Drugged-up thug knifed girlfriend in domestic argument

May 19 2011 Hamilton Advertiser

A CRAIGNEUK man is facing prison – after stabbing his partner in a drink and drug-fuelled rage.

Paul O’Neill attacked his then-girlfriend Janette Connor after brandishing two knives at their home in Glenclelland Road, Wishaw, in February.

The 28-year-old accused stabbed the victim on the leg, as well as slightly cutting her neck during the assault.

Ms Connor was forced to flee to her daughter’s home nearby following the attack.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last Friday, O’Neill pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner by repeatedly striking her on the body with a knife to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The assault took place on February 20.

However his not guilty plea to a charge of breach of the peace was accepted by the Crown.

Fiscal depute Vincent Lunny told the court that Ms Connor had returned to the home they shared at around 6pm that Sunday, having been out all day.

There, she found O’Neill unhappy at her having not returned sooner. Mr Lunny also stated that she believed him to be under the influence of something, but was not sure what.

At around 7pm, said the fiscal, O’Neill left the living room and returned from the kitchen with two knives, one in each hand.

Mr Lunny told court that O’Neill proclaimed: ‘I’ll f***ing stab you,’ and continued to insult his partner.

The fiscal depute said: “As the complainer was seated on the sofa, the accused struck the left side of her neck with a knife, causing what is described as a small cut.

“When asked why he did this, the accused replied ‘If you don’t shut up, I’ll stab you again’.”

The court was told that, as Ms Connor tried to leave, she felt a “punch” to the back of her right thigh, before O’Neill threw the knives on to the floor.

Ms Connor and O’Neill both saw that there was blood down the victim’s leg.

O’Neill offered to take his partner to hospital, said Mr Lunny, but asked her not to say how she came about her injuries.

Ms Connor eventually escaped the home and fled to her 21-year-old daughter’s home, where her injury prevented her from climbing the stairs.

She was later taken to Wishaw General Hospital by ambulance.

Doctors found that she had a 6cm laceration to her thigh which required five stitches and would leave a permanent scar, said Mr Lunny.

The cut on her neck didn’t require treatment.

Police officers later found O’Neill at the Glenclelland Road house with bloodstains on his hand and forehead, as well blood-stained knives on the floor.

The accused claimed during an interview that his partner had appeared at the home already injured, and he had attempted to stop the bleeding with a towel.

At court, defence solicitor Douglas Barr said that his client had been drinking heavily and using drugs that day, and had a past problems with drugs.

He added that O’Neill had “realised the enormity of his actions” and it was fortunate his partner’s injuries were not more serious.

Sheriff Danny Scullion also noted O’Neill had been “chaotically using alcohol and drugs” before the assault and the accused’s past convictions for assault and assault to severe injury. Sentence was deferred until June 10 for reports. O’Neill was remanded meantime.