Jealous boyfriend tried to kill suspected love rival with a sword

High Court: French admitted trying to kill Kieran Goodbrand.© STV

A jealous labourer tried to kill a man he believed was having a relationship with his girlfriend with a sword.

Sean French, 20, admitted attempting to murder Kieran Goodbrand, 25, by striking him on the head and body with the sword on June 26, last year at a house in North Lanarkshire, at the High Court in Glasgow.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Goodband's friend Liam McGarrell to the danger of his life by striking him with the sword in Dundyvan Road, Coatbridge.

Advocate depute Peter McCormack, prosecuting, told the court that French armed himself with a sword and arrived at the house in Coatbridge after hearing that his girlfriend Shelley Williamson, 21, was at a party at Mr Goodbrand's home.

The court heard that French had earlier received texts from a friend suggesting that Miss Williamson was cheating on him.

Mr McCormack said: "Mr Goodbrand heard French shout something like: 'You're getting it.' He was in possession of a large bladed weapon.

"The accused raised the weapon and struck Mr Goodbrand on the leg. He put up his hands to protect himself and was stuck on the hand.

"He ended up on the floor and was repeatedly struck with the weapon. French then pushed a weights bench on top of Mr Goodbrand before leaving."

The court heard that French then attacked Mr McGarrell, who had been in the bathroom, but heard screams and opened the door to investigate. French hit Mr McGarrell, 18, on the head with the sword, causing him to fall onto the bathroom floor. He put his feet up to defend himself and was hit on the feet with the weapon.

Mr Goodbrand suffered fractured fingers and nerves and tendons in his hands were cut. He also had two fractures to his right leg and had to had five bolts put in his knee. He can no longer run any distances and finds kneeling difficult and his right leg is numb in places.

Mr Goodbrand also cannot form a fist with his right hand and has been unable to return to his job as a painter and decorator.

Mr McGarrell suffered an injury to his head and his left ankle.

Defence counsel Allan Macleod said: "Mr French is in a relationship with Miss Williamson and they are expecting a child in August.

"He received a message to the effect that she had been cheating on him. Mr French then armed himself with a sword and took a taxi to Mr Goodbrand's home.

"He regrets what he did. It could be described as a crime of passion albeit misguided."

Judge Lady Stacey deferred sentence on French, who has two previous convictions for possessing offensive weapons, until next month and called for background reports.

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