Client tried to murder lawyer in office after being released early from prison

A knife-wielding man stabbed his lawyer in the chest in a murder bid at the solicitor’s office after he was released early from prison.

Esayas Neguse attacked Muhammad Shoaib leaving him fearing he was going to die.

Two colleagues tackled the 37-year-old before passing police caught sight of the struggle at MS Solicitors in Glasgow’s Southside on September 21, 2022.

Mr Shoaib, 71, survived having been stabbed in the chest.

Neguse was at liberty at the time having been freed early from a previous 12-month jail-term. He had a total of 11 previous convictions.

Esaya Neguse attacked Muhammad Shoaib at MS Solicitors in Glasgow's Southside on September 21, 2022 — Esaya Neguse attacked Muhammad Shoaib at MS Solicitors in Glasgow’s Southside on September 21, 2022 Crown Office

Lord Colbeck told Neguse: “You attempted to murder a solicitor representing your interests.

“You did so using a weapon that you were carrying for that purpose.

“I take into account a degree of planning was involved.

Glasgow & West

‘My life has changed since stabbing attack, I thought I was going to die’

Muhammad Shoaib says he still has flashbacks and panic attacks after being attacked by a client in his office in Glasgow’s southside.

“On your account, you went with the intention of assaulting him.

“In my assessment, these factors are redolent of a high degree of culpability.”

Neguse initially stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of attempted murder.

But, after Mr Shoaib testified reliving his ordeal to jurors, Neguse pleaded guilty to the charge.

He was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The court previously heard how the lawyer was at work that afternoon when Neguse turned up unannounced at the office on Victoria Road.

Mr Shoaib still agreed to see him and Neguse followed him into his room.

The victim expected Neguse to take a seat, but instead he stood next to him and stated: “Muhammad, are you ok?”

The assailant then pulled out a kitchen knife from his pocket.

Mr Shoaib told jurors: “He started attacking towards my neck, then for a second time on my chest. I had to put my hand out to stop him.”

The solicitor recalled Neguse mumbling something.

The victim added: “The blood was coming out my chest. It was like a shower of blood.”

Mr Shoaib desperately screamed on his colleagues – a fellow lawyer and a legal secretary – for help.

They got Neguse out of the room as he still clung onto the knife.

The victim managed to dial 999.

Mr Shoaib: “I thought I was going to die. The whole floor was filled up with my blood. I was panicking.”

CCTV footage showed the two colleagues – who were headbutted and bit by Neguse – deciding to drag the attacker out onto the street to attract the attention of police stopped at traffic lights.

The men yelled: “He has got a knife and he has stabbed him.”

Neguse eventually let go of the weapon which had a blade of up to six inches.

The court heard Mr Shoaib suffered a stab wound to his chest but was able to leave hospital after treatment.

Neguse – from Eritrea in East Africa and who already had 11 previous convictions – also pleaded guilty to five other charges.

These were assaulting Mr Shoaib’s colleagues, having a knife in a public place, behaving in a threatening manner and spitting on a police officer.

Herbert Kerrigan KC, defending, said his client had expressed clear remorse for what he had done.

The defence advocate said Neguse had originally travelled to the UK for “sanctuary…looking forward to his life” with his wife and child, but they both drowned.

After the stabbing of Mr Shoaib, former First Minister and Alba Party leader Alex Salmond said at the time he was “deeply upset with the news of the attack”.

Mr Shoaib had previously stood in the 2022 council elections as the Alba candidate for the city’s Pollokshields ward.