Man jailed after gang machete attack on pensioner in Glasgow

Robert Craig, 28, and two other attackers forced their way into the 67 year-old's home in Glasgow's Tollcross late at night on April 15 last year.

The OAP - who lived alone - had initially heard a knock at his door.

(Image: Newsquest)

Prosecutor Ali Murray on Tuesday told the High Court in Glasgow: "He opened the door, looked around and was the struck on the head with something.

"He saw three figures in the hallway - all had faces covered and one was in possession of a machete style knife.

"One of the three approached and aimed a blow with the weapon.

"The man raised his arm to defend his head and the machete struck him."

The victim grappled with the attacker wielding the weapon and tried to hold his wrists to avoid further blows.

But, the pensioner was struck again before one of the thugs stated: "Right, that is enough."

A neighbour heard the man's cries for help as the trio fled the scene.

The blood-soaked victim needed surgery at hospital for a large wound to his arm. He also had injuries to his lip and head.

Forensic evidence linked Craig to the horror attack - his DNA was found on the OAP's housecoat.

Police went to arrest the thug at an address in Glasgow.

He was not there, but officers seized a machete and balaclava.

Craig was eventually traced weeks later in Perth.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder.

It emerged Craig already had a previous high court conviction for violence.

Judge Douglas Brown jailed him for seven and a half years for this latest crime.

He told Craig: "The attack was obviously pre-planned. It was unprovoked, involved two other men, late at night at the victim's house.

"You all had faces covered which was bound to make the attack more frightening.

"The man was plainly vulnerable, on his own, unarmed and outnumbered three-to-one.

"It is clear that this has had a devastating impact on him. He said the continuing trauma is overwhelming, he no longer feels safe in his home, being constantly anxious and he suffers nightmares.

"It has changed his life forever."

The jail-term would have been 10 years, but for the guilty plea.