Teen victim of Glasgow stabbing: 'I survived attempted murder but it destroyed my life'

A teenager who survived an attempted murder in which a stranger stabbed him with a broken bottle has said the attack “destroyed” his life.

Conall Morrison, from Coatbridge, was with a group of friends on the evening of August 4, 2023, when they noticed two girls in distress with a woman in Glasgow city centre.

Conall, then 16 years old, and his friends led the girls away around the corner but later met the same woman and a male associate on Osborne Street.

Warning: This article contains distressing images

An altercation took place and Paula Macaulay, 43, stabbed Conall in the neck with a broken gin bottle.

Conall fell to the floor and Macaulay fled the scene. The teenager’s friends flagged down British Transport Police officers.

Conall was taken to hospital where he underwent life-saving surgery and required a blood transfusion. He needed 14 staples to close the wound in his neck.

Conall Morrison required 14 staples to close the wound in his neck. Supplied

“It was a frightening experience,” Conall told STV News, “I didn’t even notice until one of my friends pointed it out.

“I was bleeding profusely from my neck. In that moment, I was in a lot of shock, I don’t think it really properly hit me until I was out of the hospital.”

On Thursday, Macaulay was jailed for trying to kill Conall who has been left scarred for life.

“It was a traumatic experience,” he said, “Although it was two years ago, it still haunts me, I still dream about it.

“It was hard seeing my friends panic and I thought I could die. It was a really scary situation.”

The teen was discharged from hospital after three days. Conall says the attack “destroyed” his life and continues to have an effect on him.

The now 18-year-old said: “That moment affected countless relationships between friends and family.

“It destroyed my life, and it will never fully heal.

“I couldn’t go into town for a while, I couldn’t walk by where it happened.”

Conall Morrison has been left scarred for life. Supplied

Macaulay initially denied the murder bid and was granted bail for two years. But on July 6, 2025, at the High Court in Glasgow, she pled guilty via her lawyer “while acting under provocation” before going to trial.

She was jailed for five years and nine months. Conall believes the sentence is a form of justice but that it doesn’t mirror the long-term impact the attack has had on his life.

“The sentencing helps me get past it but waiting two years for her to admit she was guilty was a lot,” he said.

“I think the jail term was short considering the impact it had on me and will have on me for the rest of my life.

“She is still going away, which is justice.”