2000 back mother's bid to jail knife yobs

Published on Wednesday 16 February 2011 20:30

MORE than 2000 people have signed a mother's petition urging the Scottish Government to bring in tougher sentences for knife crime in the wake of a series of savage attacks in the Lothians.

&#149 Dale Bennett and Paul Scott

The petition, which was launched just six days ago, will go before MSPs on Holyrood's Petitions Committee and demand five-year mandatory sentences for carrying knives.

It has been raised by Tracy Smyth, from Ferniehill, whose daughter, Sinead Restorick, was left in a critical condition after being stabbed on Valentine's Day two years ago.

Ms Smyth, who also has two teenage sons, is a childhood friend of the mother of Paul Scott, 22, who was stabbed to death in Tranent on February 7.

She said the deaths of Paul and of Dale Bennett, 17, who was killed in Gorebridge last weekend, made her take a stand.

The 43-year-old said: "We must end this culture where young males find it socially acceptable to carry knives.

"These young men need to know if you carry a knife, you will lose your liberty for five years. If you stab someone, you will get charged with attempted murder and not just a reduced assault charge."

Prior to the attack, Sinead, then 19, had been at a portfolio shoot in London, fulfilling the first steps of a modelling career.

Three weeks later she suffered serious internal injuries after falling victim to a brutal chisel-wielding thug in Moredun, who had been thrown out of a party earlier that night.

Ms Smyth said she was horrified that attacker Lee Stewart, now 23, received just 18 months after pleading guilty to assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement on June 2, 2009. He was also sentenced to 15 months for an unrelated assault and robbery.

Ms Smyth said: "He stabbed her once with a chisel just under her ribs. She had an injury to her stomach and bowel and they took her for emergency surgery.

"I remember the surgeon saying that they had to do it now or she would die.

"She was in hospital initially for three weeks but went back because she had fluid in her lungs. She then had problems with her legs swelling up and needed treatment for thrombosis.

"It's had a massive impact. Physically, she's lot better but she now takes anti-depressants as a result of the attack.

"These young men who carry knives have no idea of the impact their actions can have. There must be a deterrent."

Richard Baker, justice spokesman for Scottish Labour, said: "It takes immense courage to come forward and lead a campaign like Tracy is doing. She deserves great credit and support.

"It is phenomenal that 2000 people have signed this petition in days and that is testament to the strength of feeling about the need to tackle knife crime. We have to send a clear message: carry a knife, go to jail."

To support Tracy's petition, visit www.petitionspot.com/ petitions/Lothiansagainstknife

KNIFE CRIME IN THE HEADLINES

&#149 Paul Scott, 22, from Niddrie, died following an alleged serious assault in Toll House Gardens in Tranent at around 4am on February 7. James Purves, 29, last week appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court in connection with his death.

&#149 Dale Bennett, 17, died after being stabbed during an incident in Newbyres Crescent, Gorebridge, in the early hours of February 12. Brian McHale, 20, from Gorebridge, has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with the teenager's murder.

&#149 A 28-year-old man is recovering after being stabbed in an argument in Musselburgh.

The man was found with "puncture wounds" at 9.45pm on February 5 in Fisher's Wynd. George Thomson, 27, of Musselburgh, appeared on petition at Haddington Sheriff Court on February 16 in connection with the incident.

&#149 An elderly woman was stabbed with a knife in the face and arm on Craigleith Road last Tuesday.

The 75-year-old had been walking to meet a friend when she was mugged. A 31-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the incident.

&#149 A 37-year-old woman fought off a knife-wielding mugger on Leith Walk around 6.35pm on Thursday.

She had just used a cashpoint at the bottom of Leith Walk when a man pulled out a knife and demanded her money.

&#149 On Thursday, an elderly couple were woken by a man who broke into the bedroom of their home in Newbattle Road, Dalkeith. Armed with a knife, he demanded money, but he fled after being challenged by the husband.