Thugs jailed after attack put man in a coma

TWO thugs who took part in a savage assault on a man who almost died – but opened his eyes just after medics decided to turn off his life support machine – were jailed for a total of almost 12 years today.

Craig Wallace, 30, was dumped in the street after the attack in an Edinburgh flat.

Ambulance personnel found him lying in the gutter beside a rubbish bin – with a footprint in the skin over his left eye.

He was in intensive care at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for three days without showing any improvement.

The High Court in Dumbarton heard doctors feared he was going to succumb to his injuries and a decision was made "to turn off his ventilator and withdraw active treatment".

But then he began to breathe unassisted, opened his eyes spontaneously and moved his limbs – although judge Lord Pentland was told it was unlikely that he would ever make a full recovery from the brain damage he had suffered.

He still needed help, lived with his mother, and needed to use a wheelchair.

Steven Robertson, 31, of Muirpark, Dalkeith, was jailed for six years and nine months after pleading guilty to his attempted murder. He was also made subject to an extended sentence of a further three years during which time he can be recalled to prison if he re-offends.

Scott Lawson, 21, of Restalrig Road South, Edinburgh, was sentenced to five years and two months, also for attempted murder.

A third man – James Elder, 22, of no fixed address – was given two years probation and 240 hours of community service after admitting a reduced charge of assault.

The court heard how they and Mr Wallace had gone to Lawson's flat to take heroin and sniff lighter fuel.

A row broke out – the court was told over the amount of heroin being taken – and Mr Wallace approached Lawson with a baseball bat, which had been lying in the flat.

Elder took the bat away but during the struggle Robertson's girlfriend, Hayley Cherry, was knocked to the ground.

Robertson punched Mr Wallace, knocking him across the room then Elder kicked him repeatedly.

Robertson and Lawson joined in – but took things much further, repeatedly kicking and punching Mr Wallace and stamping on his head.

Advocate depute Leanne Cross, prosecuting, said: "Mr Wallace was in a very bad state once the attack drew to an end.

"He was left propped up against the living room wall."

After some time it was decided to dump Mr Wallace outside.

"All three accused and Hayley Cherry then carried him down the stairs and left him in the gutter next to the large black refuse bins."

Ms Cherry made a 999 call on her way home, claiming she had just passed someone lying in the gutter. Another passer-by also called an ambulance.

Lord Pentland said it was "no exaggeration" to say Robertson had a "disgraceful" criminal record, adding that he was at a "high risk" of re-offending. He said the extended sentence was for the protection of the public.

Addressing Robertson, he said: "You have pled guilty to the attempted murder of a man you barely knew. Your victim received extremely serious injuries as a result and was fortunate to survive."

He told Elder that his was a "significantly reduced charge" and that he accepted the findings of a social inquiry report that he had "expressed remorse" for the consequences of his actions.