A Dundee teenager put a man in a headlock and stabbed him three times after being “consumed by jealousy”, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.
John Etchells, 19, attacked George Gray in the communal lounge of a homeless shelter before escaping out of a window.
He was sentenced to two years’ detention on Tuesday at the sheriff court for the assault, which left his victim scarred for life.
Etchells, of Huntly Road, admitted assaulting George Gray by repeatedly striking him on the body with a knife to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement at the Lily Walker Centre, Ann Street, on October 27 last year, while on bail.
The court heard that Etchells and his partner Amy Cattanach shared a room within the Lily Walker Centre. Mr Gray had known Ms Cattanach for a number of years and occasionally spoke to Etchells.
Etchells told another resident of the centre that he thought there was “something going on” between Mr Gray and Ms Cattanach.
When confronted by Etchells, Mr Gray denied this and said that he and Ms Cattanach were “just friends”.
Depute fiscal Laura Bruce told the court: “The accused and Ms Cattanach made their way from the communal lounge into their room and Mr Gray followed them there and knocked on the door and stated that he wanted to speak to Ms Cattanach.
“Ms Cattanach saw the accused was angry at this and he jumped off the bed, opened the door of the room, spoke briefly to Mr Gray, and then slammed the door closed a couple of times.”
Mr Gray had continued shouting and Ms Cattanach saw Etchells grab a knife from somewhere in the room and say: “I’m away to stab him.”
The court heard Ms Cattanach had tried to stop Etchells, but he was too strong for her, and he left the room.
Ms Bruce said: “The accused ran at Mr Gray whilst holding the knife in his hand and a struggle ensued with the accused striking Mr Gray on the body with the knife.”
Etchells then ran back into the room, throwing the knife into a sink basin, before climbing out of a window. Mr Gray was seen by another witness holding his side, saying Etchells had stabbed him.
After going outside, Mr Gray told Etchells that the police were on their way, at which point Etchells ran away. He was later traced at his mother’s house.
Jim Laverty, defending, said: “It was fairly horrendous behaviour that skewed his (Etchells’) thinking and moral compass.”
Sheriff Way sentenced Etchells to two years’ detention, to be served consecutively to his current sentence, followed by a one year supervision order on his release.