Teens who attacked man with hammer in murder bid jailed

Two teenagers who carried out a hammer attack on a victim in a murder bid have been jailed for six years each.

Jacob Ross and Liam Mackinnon repeatedly struck the victim on the head and body with the weapon and punched, kicked and jumped on him.

The man lost consciousness during the assault and was later taken to hospital where he underwent surgery.

A judge told the pair as he sentencing them at the High Court in Edinburgh that it was “an extremely serious crime”.

Judge John Morris KC said that only a substantial custodial sentence was appropriate following their conviction for the attack.

He told them: “I take into account, as I must, your young age.” The judge said he also took into account their difficult backgrounds.

He imposed a total sentence of eight years each on the pair, with the jail term followed by a two-year period in the community, where they will be on licence and can be returned to jail if they breach its conditions.

The judge told them: “Had you been older, the sentence would have been at least 11 years to punish you for an extremely serious crime.”

Ross, who was detained and Mackinnon, of Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, both now aged 19, had earlier denied assaulting and attempting to murder the man at The Brae, Bannockburn, on February 23 in 2024, but were convicted of the crime.

Ross had been freed under six separate bail orders by sheriff courts in Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow at the time the offence was committed.

The court heard that the victim knew both his attackers and, as far as he was concerned, did not have any issues with them at the time.

He was with them in the early hours of the morning and was walking slightly ahead of them when he was struck with “a heavy object”. He lost consciousness but came back around.

He was taken to hospital and underwent surgery, including an operation on his head. One consultant said the pattern of injuries he sustained was similar to those he had seen inflicted by hammers in the past.

Advocate depute David McLean KC told the jury at the earlier trial: “The assault was perpetrated by the accused acting together.”

Defence solicitor advocate Simon Collins told the court that Ross has shown insight into the use of alcohol and other substances.

The judge made non harassment orders prohibiting the pair from contacting or attempting to contact the victim.