Man followed woman in Glasgow city centre then stabbed her in the neck with a pencil

A man followed a woman in Glasgow city centre before stabbing her in the neck with a pencil.

Ibrohin Sharif, 46, attacked Janet Smilie on Glasgow city centre’s Queen Street on June 6 last year.

Medics initially believed that there was no immediate danger to Ms Smilie after the attack.

However, a CT scan revealed that the victim had a defect near her carotid artery.

Sharif pleaded guilty to assault to the woman’s severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

Sharif had initially faced a charge of attempted murder, but the allegation was deleted by the Crown.

The High Court in Glasgow heard Ms Smilie had been socialising with a group when Sharif approached them to chat.

Ms Smilie was then followed by Sharif near an office building on Queen Street.

Prosecutor Eilidh Robertson said: “Sharif approached her and struck her to the left side of her neck with a pencil, which caused her to fall to the ground.

“When she put her hand to her neck she felt blood which spilled onto her clothing and realised she had been stabbed.”

Sharif initially remained at the scene but walked off.

However, he was tailed by a witness who was on the phone with 999 and updated Sharif’s whereabouts.

An intoxicated Sharif was located and arrested when two broken pieces of pencil were found on him.

Another witness recovered another piece of pencil.

Ms Smilie was taken to hospital for treatment for a small wound to her neck.

Ms Robertson added: “The wound gave no real cause for concern initially.

“However, a CT scan showed a defect near the carotid artery, which required surgery to repair the damage.”

Murray Macara, defending, told the court that his client was remorseful for his actions.

It was revealed that Sharif has a record of previous convictions going back 30 years, which includes crimes of violence, dishonesty and road traffic matters.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month at the High Court in Edinburgh by Judge Norman McFadyen.

Sharif, of the city’s Pollokshields, had his remand in custody continued.

Ms Smilie has since died from an unrelated matter.