An Airdrie thug who carried out a terrifying murder bid on a Coatbridge pensioner in her own home has been jailed for eight years.
Billy Smith, 24, repeatedly stabbed his 69-year-old victim during the early hours of the morning in October last year, with his victim later having to undergo a life-saving operation.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that Smith targeted the house because the woman was continuing to associate with a man he believed was a paedophile; that person was in the house that night.
Smith admitted attempting to murder his victim, with judge Lord Mulholland telling him during sentencing last week: “This woman required an operation to save her life. Whatever your motivation, you are not entitled to take the law into your own hands.
“The law of the jungle does not apply in these courts. This lady had done nothing to you.”
Smith, who is assessed as a high risk of re-offending, was also ordered to be monitored in the community for three years after his release from jail.
His new sentence will start at the expiry of a 27-month sentence he is currently serving.
Smith was said to have been “unimpressed” that his victim continued to be in contact with the man, believing him to have abused children.
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Prosecutor Owen Mullan said the OAP was attacked with a “knife or screwdriver-type implement”.
He added the crime appeared to be a “revenge attack” against the individual known to the woman.
Smith stormed into the house and ranted: “I am going to kill you both.”
His victim ended up being severely hurt; she was initially struck on the shoulder, slumped to the ground before being hit again on the body.
Smith then fled and police soon arrived at the blood-stained property; the victim identified Smith as her attacker.
She suffered six wounds, needed 40 stitches and ended up losing 3st in weight as a result of her horrifying ordeal.
Mr Mullan: “Without surgical intervention, she would have died.”
Smith’s defence counsel Tony Lenehan said “any malice” the thug had for the woman was “nothing” compared to what he thought of the other individual. Mr Lenehan added: “He has expressed his remorse for the lady who was seriously injured.”
Smith smiled at members of his family as he was led away to the cells.
