A crime scene expert has told how he followed a trail of blood from a garden into a Larkhall house.
Scenes of crime examiner Christopher Burns said he also found two knives on the ground, as well as a bottle of alcohol.
There was blood on the grass and on the path and a mobility ramp leading to the house.
Mr Burns, who took photographs at the scene, said there were also traces of blood on the door and inside the property.
Jay Gibb, 19, was accused of stabbing a man to the danger of his life in Albert Drive on February 26 this year.
But a jury found him not guilty after trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Gibb, of nearby West Clyde Street, Larkhall, admitted he'd drunk a full bottle of Buckfast and taken street valium pills on the day of the alleged attack.
He told his solicitor, John McGeechan, he was "away with it".
In a police statement he claimed he was attacked by the man and another man and "fought back", but denied using a knife.
The court heard the alleged victim suffered a 2cm wound near his armpit. This was closed with staples and he was given a tetanus jag.
Consultant William Tullett, who gave evidence for the defence, said a wound in the chest area had the potential to kill, given the proximity of vital organs and the lungs.
But he added: "In this case there was nothing to suggest the patient's life was in danger and there is no evidence of lifesaving treatment."
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
