Man left dog walker with life-threatening injuries in attack outside Hawick restaurant

A violent repeat offender who stabbed a dog walker with a knife after threatening “to do” the man has been jailed for seven years.

Paul Weller Aries left the victim with life-threatening injuries during the attack in the Scottish Borders on March 26.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the victim set out to walk his dog in Hawick when he was set upon by Aries outside the Santa Marina restaurant, who continued to attack him as he tried to escape.

Aries admitted to assaulting the man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

The 42-year-old was on bail granted at Jedburgh Sheriff Court at the time of the attack.

A judge told Aries: “It is plain that only a significant custodial disposal is appropriate in this case.”

Lord Arthurson pointed out that he has amassed 62 groups of previous convictions and added: “You have served, on my count, no less than 39 custodial sentences.”

The judge pointed out that Aries’ “weapon of choice” was also a knife at a previous conviction at the High Court in 2015, when he was jailed for an assault resulting in severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger to life committed while he was on bail.

Lord Arthurson told Aries that he would have faced a nine-year jail term for his latest offence, but for his guilty plea.

Advocate depute Eric Robertson told the court that Aries has “numerous” previous convictions, including for road traffic, drugs, violence and breach of the peace offences.

The prosecutor said that the victim and Aries were known to each other but were not on good terms. As the victim approached the restaurant, he saw two males, one of whom was Aries.

He said that as Aries went towards the victim, he shouted: “I am f*****g going to do you, you daftie.”

The knife attacker lunged at the victim, who tried to flee but was quickly caught and stabbed in the torso.

The victim was taken to Borders General Hospital for treatment after the assault and was found to have knife wounds and a fractured rib.

Aries, of Hawick, was later detained by police and denied involvement in the attack.

Defence counsel Rosalyn McTaggart said Aries has a history of addiction issues and suffered adverse experiences.

She said that by pleading guilty, he has shown remorse and a recognition that “this behaviour is intolerable in society”.

Father-of-two Aries watched the proceedings via a TV link to Edinburgh jail, where he is currently a prisoner.