Dirt biker stabbed man, 20, in murder bid in Glasgow's Royston

A dirt biker who ambushed a young man who owed him £350 has been locked up for eight years.

John Paul Riley, 21, sped up on his bike to confront the 20-year-old in Glasgow’s Royston on February 1, 2024.

Riley had previously tried to get the cash back.

The victim, who had hearing issues, had been walking to a shop with a 13-year-old boy at the time.

Riley appeared from behind on his bike with his hood up and his face partially covered by a snood.

He said to him: “I told you I would see you.”

Prosecutor Anna Chisholm told the High Court in Glasgow that Riley then pulled the victim to the ground and repeatedly struck him with a knife.

The victim managed to stagger to his feet and asked the young boy to get him help. Riley escaped on his dirt bike.

The victim’s mum then drove him to hospital.

“I cannot breathe,” the victim said.

“He stabbed twice in the back and once in the chest.”

The victim required extensive emergency treatment – the injuries included a collapsed lung.

The court heard he had been at serious risk of “catastrophic” bleeding.

He has been left scarred for life.

Riley, of Royston, could not be traced at the time, but later handed himself into police.

He was sentenced on Monday having earlier pled guilty to attempted murder.

Lord Matthews told Riley: “According to a victim impact statement, as a result of the operation, he had over 70 staples on his body, which left him with a very bad scar from chest to groin.

“He was in pain for months and his confidence has been severely compromised.

“He feels constant embarrassment and shame as well as suffering difficulties with his mental health, panic attacks, flashbacks and has delusions of being attacked again.”

Riley was also ordered to be supervised for a further two years on his release.