‘High risk’ thug gets 6 years for stabbing

A KNIFE attacker who carried out a drink and drug-fuelled assault has been jailed for six years.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that background reports branded Matthew Kerr, 30, a high risk.

His 29 previous convictions – including one for attempted murder while still in his 
teens – have earned him 20 jail sentences, judge Lord Boyd was told.

An earlier trial heard how a row broke out between Kerr and Lee Thomson, 32, at a house in Blackcot Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian.

Mr Thomson suffered a number of stab wounds, leaving him severely injured and scarred.

A jury rejected Kerr’s claim that he was acting in self-defence and found him guilty of assault to danger of life.

When he returned to court to be sentenced yesterday, solicitor advocate David Taylor, defending, said Kerr knew he was heading to prison again.

The lawyer added: “He is becoming tired of this lifestyle. He is becoming tired of custody and is anxious this should be his last sentence.”

Lord Boyd told Kerr: “You inflicted a truly horrible injury on Lee Thomson. I accept there may have been an argument between you, and you may have felt threatened in some way. Nevertheless, none of this excuses the loss of temper.”