Man jailed for stabbing pensioner

A 63-year-old man who was convicted of attempting to murder his pensioner friend has been jailed for eight years.

John Gray stabbed John Doyle in the stomach following a row at the 65-year-old's home in Croy, North Lanarkshire, in October last year.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how Gray was asked to leave and stabbed Mr Doyle as he was being escorted out.

Gray had denied the charge and claimed he was at home in Croy at the time.

Hardest punch

In evidence, Mr Doyle said his friend had been in a terrible mood that day.

He said that as Gray left he received what he thought was the hardest punch he had ever had in his life.

When he realised he had been stabbed he collapsed in the living room.

Mr Doyle was rushed to hospital and had to undergo an operation to repair the damage caused by the knife wound.

Jailing Gray, judge Lord Brodie told him: "The courts take a very serious view of attempted murder, however this is not a case of a prolonged attack."