Police plea after man is stabbed outside his home

Jul 31 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

POLICE were this week appealing for witnesses after a 37-year-old man was stabbed in Craigneuk, Wishaw, last Thursday.

Police are treating the attack as an attempted murder.

Around 7.25am on Thursday, July 24, police were called to an incident at Wingate Street in the Craigneuk area of the town.

The man had been seriously assaulted inside his home and was later taken to Wishaw General Hospital.

The victim was treated for stab wounds.

Hospital staff this week described the man’s condition as being “stable.”

Detective Inspector John Lamb, of Wishaw Police office, is appealing for further information on the incident.

He said: “We do not believe that this was a random attack.

“However, inquiries are still on-going into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Wingate Street between 7am and 7.30am that morning and witnessed anything suspicious, or anyone with anyinformation which may assist police in their inquiries, to contact Wishaw Police office on 01698 202600.

“Alternatively, witnesses can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.”

Meanwhile, police at Wishaw are appealing for information following two separate incidents involving two young women which occurred in the town on Saturday, July 26.

The first incident took place at about 8.50am in Waverly Drive, near Kenilworth Avenue, when a man approached an 18-year-old woman and threatened her with a hammer.

The man ran off towards St Aidan’s High School when the woman tried to attract the attention of a passing motorist.

She was unhurt but badly shaken by the incident.

Around 9.25am, the same man approached a 17-year-old woman in a car park at Belhaven Road, near the new Tesco store.

He demanded cash before striking her on the arm with a hammer.

The man then ran away from the scene empty-handed.

The second woman was taken to Wishaw General Hospital where she received treatment for a minor injury. She was later discharged from hospital.

The suspect is described as being in his teens to early twenties and is around 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build with dark hair, and was wearing a distinctive tracksuit which is mainly grey but with the upper chest and shoulder areas being white.

Detective Constable Colin Sutherland is continuing inquiries.

He said: “I would appeal to anyone who witnesses the incidents or who can help identify the suspect to come forward as a matter of urgency.

“The area is known to have been busy at the time and the suspect is known to have travelled around the Wishaw town centre area that morning.”

Witnesses are asked to contact Wishaw CID or telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.