Adobe StockAn attacker who left an innocent man horrifically scarred after stabbing him in the stomach with a broken bottle has been jailed for eight years.
Gary Williamson lashed out at the man, who was said to be in “the wrong place, at the wrong time”, when he happened to answer the door to the 25-year-old at a flat in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
The distressed 28-year-old went on to call his partner, fearing he was going to die.
The victim survived the attack on August 22, 2024, after undergoing emergency surgery.
On Tuesday, Williamson was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow, having earlier admitted to an aggravated assault charge.
Lord Mulholland told him: “You have pled guilty to an unprovoked attack on a young man, who had done nothing more than answer the door to you.
“The long-term effects are profound. You have a lengthy criminal record for someone your age.
“What strikes me are the number of offences involving weapons.
“You are a menace and the public needs protected from you.”
Williamson will be supervised for a further four years on his release.
The court heard how the victim was at his friend’s flat when they heard someone at the door.
The victim went to see who it was – Williamson was there, and the victim shouted back to the other man that he wanted to come in.
The friend insisted Williamson was not welcome.
Prosecutor Anne Bennie then said Williamson smashed a glass bottle that he had been gripping off metal railings.
He used the weapon to strike the man on the body.
Ms Bennie stated the victim was “simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time”.
The victim soon realised he had been hit in the stomach. He had what appeared to be a serious bowel injury.
The panicked man telephoned his girlfriend and said: “I am going to die. Gary Williamson has stabbed me.”
He was rushed to hospital in Glasgow after a 999 call.
The court was shown a graphic photo of a large scar down the victim’s abdomen as a result of the attack.
Medics concluded his life had been at threat, but for vital treatment.
Williamson was later arrested in the same street in possession of a knife.
Colin Neilson, defending, said: “This was an assault without excuse or provocation.
“He must accept responsibility ultimately for this most serious of attacks.”
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