Violent Confrontation Over Parking Space
A Glasgow man has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison after a disagreement over a parking space escalated into a vicious knife attack that left his neighbour with life-changing injuries.
Stephen McAulay, 35, stabbed James Duncan multiple times in the head and body during the violent incident that occurred outside their homes in the Carntyne area of Glasgow on 13 May 2024.
The court heard that the attack followed an earlier confrontation between the two neighbours about parking on their street, during which bus driver McAulay sustained a minor facial injury.
Life-Changing Injuries and Court Sentencing
Judge Lord Young told McAulay at the High Court in Edinburgh: "Whatever the rights and wrongs of that dispute, you would not let the matter rest."
The judge dismissed McAulay's claim that he had taken the knife with him for self-defence, stating firmly: "You went looking for your victim to continue the argument, and you took a knife with you that you were prepared to use."
Crane operator James Duncan required emergency surgery for a serious chest wound, while the injuries to his head resulted in significant vision loss in one eye. Lord Young described these as "truly life-changing injuries" during Tuesday's sentencing hearing.
Remorse and Consequences
Defence solicitor Ross Yuill described his client's decision to arm himself with a knife and confront his neighbour as "inexplicable".
Mr Yuill told the court that McAulay has found his first experience of custody challenging and expressed that his client was "sorry" for the incident. The lawyer added that McAulay "wishes again to offer his apologies to the complainer having had significant time to reflect on his actions".
The consequences of McAulay's actions extend beyond his prison sentence, as the court heard he will miss the birth of his child while serving his term.
McAulay had pleaded guilty to attempted murder last month at the High Court in Glasgow and received his seven-and-a-half year prison sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh.
