Knife attack left couple fighting for life in row over £100

Finlay McIntyre, 52, and Karen Branwhite, 38, were stabbed outside their front door in Greenock.

A couple were left fighting for their lives after being stabbed in an argument over £100.

Finlay McIntyre, 52, and Karen Branwhite, 38, were attacked outside their front door.

Mr McIntyre had suffered multiple stab wounds to his head, chest and stomach when officers arrived while his partner was in cardiac arrest.

Both ended up in intensive care with Mr McIntyre needing emergency surgery.

Ms Branwhite meantime had a collapsed lung, a liver injury as well as a fractured rib.

The incident took place in Greenock, Inverclyde, last November 5.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, Jamie Middleton, 19, and Andrew Mulholland, 27, admitted assaulting the victims to their severe injury and danger of their lives.

They had originally been charged with attempting to murder the couple.

Judge Lady Stacey heard how the attackers were both on bail for knife offences at the time.

Prosecutor Kath Harper told the court Mr McIntyre owed Middleton £100 and an agreement had been reached for the money to be paid on November 6.

However, Middleton and Mulholland turned up at the couple’s home the night before the arranged date to carry out their attack.

They then fled the scene in a taxi.

The couple managed to alert police despite collapsing in a pool of blood behind their front door.

Ms Harper told the court: “Both arrived in a critical condition. They were both found to have potentially life-threatening injuries.”

Lady Stacey deferred sentencing for reports until next month. Middleton and Mulholland have been remanded in custody meantime.

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