Gang stabs teacher who went to aid neighbour

A TEACHER was attacked by a gang of men and stabbed in the back as he lay defenceless on the ground after he tried to stop them from stealing his neighbour’s car.

John Howson was alerted to the three intruders early on Monday after they set off a security light.

But when he went outside to challenge one of them he was hit and knocked to the ground before two others joined in the assault.

Mr Howson, 57, was stabbed and slashed in the back as he lay on the ground before the gang ran off.

Police said the vicious attack “beggars belief” and appealed for information to help catch the attackers.

The incident – in the Blairhill area of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire – is being treated as attempted murder and the force has issued descriptions of the suspects.

Mr Howson was taken by ambulance to Monklands Hospital in nearby Airdrie for treatment to his injuries.

He was kept in overnight before being discharged yesterday morning.

The part-time chemistry teacher at Coatbridge’s St Ambrose High School was at home with his wife, Aileen, 54, the local authority’s chief solicitor, in the town’s Lefroy Street when they were awoken by security lights and unusual noises outside at about 5:40am.

Mr Howson, known as Ian, left his home in the ground floor of their converted villa and found an intruder in the garden before he was attacked.

Detective Inspector Bob Frew, of Coatbridge CID, who is leading the investigation, said there had been several break-ins in the Blairhill area on Monday morning.

He said: “There were three of the suspects against just one man.

“It really does beggar belief that he was attacked so viciously for just trying to defend property.

“We believe that the three men involved were opportunists, looking to steal anything they could.

“It is possible that they had been in the area for a while as there were a number of either break-ins or attempts to break in at other houses and cars in the area.”

Politicians and local residents expressed dismay at the attack. Coatbridge and Chryston MSP Elaine Smith said: “I am sure the whole community in Coatbridge will be stunned to hear of this shocking attack. It would seem Mr Howson was completely selfless in trying to protect his neighbour’s property and was the victim of a cowardly assault.

“I hope that he makes a full recovery and that his attackers are quickly brought to justice.”

One neighbour said: “He is a very nice man and a good neighbour. It is a terrible thing that has happened to someone who was just looking out for his neighbour and protecting his property.

“This has always been a nice quiet area and people are shocked, although there have been some break-ins around here recently and my house was targeted twice. People have been adding security to their homes because of it and that will only be increased now.”

Police have said all three suspects are white with one being around 20 to 22 years old, 5ft 8in in height, with dirty fair hair and broad shoulders. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt.

Another man has been described as aged 18 to 20, 5ft 6in, with fair hair and a thin build. The third suspect is thought to be between 5ft 4in and 5ft 6in, well-built, with short dark hair and dark clothing.