Man had a foot-long blade in his back

Published on Tuesday 28 April 2009 10:03

A TEENAGER plunged a knife with a foot-long blade into a man's back in a murder bid leaving him millimetres from death, a court has heard.

Victim Scott Hume ran towards The Vine Bar in Leith's North Junction Street as he was chased by Liam Howard, following an argument between the pair on November 27 last year.

He could not get the door open before he felt a blow, which he initially thought was a punch.

Mr Hume managed to get into the pub after the attack but people inside immediately began screaming at the sight of the weapon sticking out of him.

Advocate depute Alison Di Rollo told the High Court in Edinburgh: "An older regular said 'Sit yourself down son, you've got a knife in your back.'"

Paramedics called to the pub cut away Mr Hume's upper clothing and found the broad-bladed knife had penetrated several inches into his back close to his spine.

Surgeons operated to remove the weapon which they found was millimetres from the aorta – the major artery in the body.

Ms Di Rollo said: "The various doctors who treated Scott Hume are agreed that this was a potentially life-threatening injury."

Howard, 18, admitted attempting to murder Mr Hume.

Lady Smith told Howard, who is currently in Polmont Young Offenders' Institution for other offences, that she would have to get a background report on him before sentencing.