Man told victim to 'hurry up and die' during murder bid in Hamilton

A man who screamed, “Hurry up and die”, at his victim during a murder bid in Hamilton has been jailed for six years and nine months.

James Campbell inflicted multiple stab wounds on the man and hit him on the head with a dumbbell during the attack at his home in Hamilton on June 12, 2024.

The victim was placed in an induced coma following the assault, and a judge told Campbell: “Had he not received medical treatment, he could have died.”

Lady Drummond said at the High Court in Edinburgh “This was a vicious and planned attack by you on the complainer. You deliberately took a knife from your own property.”

The judge said she was told that there had been some previous disagreement before Campbell, 41, carried out the attack.

Campbell earlier admitted attempting to murder the man.

The victim had returned home to find his door kicked in and the property trashed. A co-accused, Daniel Hendry, was in the hall and punched the victim before leaving.

Campbell stabbed the victim in the chest, and after he fell, stabbed him again.

Advocate depute Ali Murray said: “Campbell was heard to shout ‘Hurry up and die’.”

The prosecutor said the victim was bleeding heavily from wounds and was in agony. He threw a dumbbell at a window, but Campbell picked it up and hit him over the head, leaving the victim unconscious as he fled.

Police were alerted by a neighbour and found the victim with multiple wounds.

Lady Drummond ordered that Campbell should be under supervision in the community for a further three years, when he will be on licence and can be returned to jail if he breaches the conditions.

Hendry, 36, of Larkhall, was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work under a community payback order after admitting assaulting Mr Anderson to his injury by repeatedly punching him. He was also placed on a curfew for six months and told he will be under supervision for three years.