Boy, 15, repeatedly stabbed wheelchair-bound man in raid

A teenager who repeatedly stabbed a wheelchair-bound disabled man in his home has been jailed for 18 months.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the then 15-year-old forced his way into 54-year-old George Crozier’s home just a week after he was freed by police for taking part in raids at a pub and shop in Uddingston, Lanarkshire.

Mr Crozier, feared he was going to die during the attack in the early hours of September 8, 2018, at his home in New Stevenson, Motherwell.

After hearing a window being smashed, he tried to prevent the teenager forcing his way in but was stabbed with a piece of glass, causing serious injuries to his left arm.

‘Mr Crozier was terrified for his life. He tried to defend himself as best he could.’
Prosecutor Bill McVicar

Prosecutor Bill McVicar said: “The boy was very aggressive… smashing side windows and panels in the front door.

“Mr Crozier was terrified for his life. He tried to defend himself as best he could.”

The boy ransacked the house, tried to drag a safe from a cupboard and stole tobacco.

His prints were found in the house and Mr Crozier identified him as his attacker, however despite this a decision was taken to release him.

At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lady Stacey told the teenager: “You went to the house of a man you knew was disabled and smashed a window in the door to get in and attacked him.

“This is a very serious offence. Just a few weeks later you went to another house and stole items.”

The court heard that after the raids on the pub and shop the teenager was released by police and told to appear at court.

Mr McVicar said: “As he was 15 at the time this undertaking was cancelled to allow consideration to the appropriate procedure to follow.”

After the attack on George, despite fingerprint evidence he was released again.

He went on to steal from a house where a schoolgirl was home alone in November 2018.

The boy was then charged and allowed home and within 30 minutes was back at the girl’s door threatening to assault a relative.

He was arrested, later bailed by a sheriff.

The boy – now 16 – admitted eight charges including assaulting and robbing Mr Crozier to the danger of his life, housebreaking and theft.