Sister told 999 operator: 'I just stabbed my wee brother in the heart'

Court: Connelly was detained for two and a half years on Friday.© STV

A sister attacked her younger sibling before dialling 999 and admitting "I just stabbed my wee brother in the heart".

Claire Connelly left 16-year-old Ronnie needing open heart surgery after she attacked him at a Hogmanay party.

The 20-year-old was detained for two and a half years at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday for assaulting her brother to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

Connelly, her partner Stephen Devlin and her younger brother and his friend had been drinking at her home in Esk Drive, Paisley, Renfrewshire, on December 31 last year in the build-up to the attack.

She was drunk and said she wanted to visit her mother but there were fears that an argument might follow because they had a troubled relationship. Her partner put the front door keys in his pocket to prevent her leaving and a row broke out between Connelly and her brother because she wanted to leave the house.

The court heard efforts were made to try and calm her down but as the brother's friend was about to leave he heard a loud smashing noise from the kitchen, where he found the pair fighting.

Advocate depute Andrew Brown QC said: "He opened the kitchen door and saw the accused and the victim rolling about on the floor fighting.

"Mr Devlin tried to separate them and was joined in the kitchen by the friend. They then noticed that the victim had blood on his shirt."

The attacker’s brother was taken to the town’s Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment. Connelly was questioned by police and was visibly upset and wept throughout expressing the hope that her brother was okay.

Defence counsel Dale Hughes said Connelly has shown true regret and contrition following the stabbing.

He added: "After the incident it does seem she was in a high state of agitation. Despite that she has made efforts to try for a better life."

People who read this story also read