Edinburgh attacker freed twice on murder charge faces jail

A MAN who once made legal history by winning appeals against two murder convictions is facing a jail term for a knife 
attack.
By JOHN ROBERTSON
Published 18th Aug 2012, 03:33 BST

Sean Hoy, 42, forced his way into a flat in Granton Crescent, Edinburgh, and struck Edward Lenyatsa repeatedly with a rolling pin and a knife.

Hoy admitted assaulting Mr Lenyatsa to the danger of his life on 20 April, and was remanded in custody to be sentenced next month at the High Court in 
Edinburgh.

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In 1995, Hoy was jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering David Sproule, 29, in a brawl outside a pub in West Granton Road, Edinburgh.

The victim was stabbed nine times in the neck and suffered 20 blows to the head from punching, kicking and stamping. A second man was convicted of assault.

The Court of Criminal Appeal ruled Hoy had suffered a miscarriage of justice and allowed a retrial. At the second trial, he was again convicted and given a life sentence. Again, he won an appeal and the Crown wanted to stage a third trial but this time the appeal judges refused to sanction a fresh prosecution, and Hoy and was freed.