'I don't know if I've been stabbed'

A man who was filmed on police body cameras trying to stab a female officer has been jailed for four years with a two-year licence extension.

Gordon Finnlayson, 39, from Duncarnock Crescent, Glasgow, admitted trying to cause grievous bodily to two officers at a house in Northampton.

The footage records one officer shouting: "I don't know if I've been stabbed."

Both victims needed medical attention, but neither was seriously hurt.

Northamptonshire Police said it took a 999 call on 8 March from colleagues in Scotland who had received a report that a Scottish man working in Northampton had had his face slashed.

While two officers were searching a rented house in Hazelwood Road, Northampton, Finnlayson arrived with a Stanley knife in his hand.

The police officers told him to put the weapon down, but he continued to approach them.

Northamptonshire Police said the officers attempted to disarm the suspect, but he knocked a female officer to the floor and laughed as he tried to slash her with the knife.

Her colleague attempted to take the weapon from Finnlayson, but both officers were repeatedly struck and pushed to the ground, with one being thrown backwards from the house.

When more officers arrived, Finnlayson was subdued with a Taser and arrested.

Both officers received medical attention but neither was seriously hurt.

Body camera footage of the incident has been released by the police with the agreement of the officers, and shows the female officer in distress and shouting, "I don't know if I've been stabbed".

Finnlayson admitted two charges of attempted wounding with intent.

He was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with a two-year extension at Northampton Crown Court.

The court heard about his 35 previous convictions, including seven assaults on police officers, and his remorse about the latest incident.

Det Insp Nick Peters of Northampton CID said: “These two officers showed incredible courage in the face of a violent and sustained attack by a man who was not only armed and much larger than them, but also appeared to be enjoying trying to seriously hurt them.

“I’m really pleased to see such a strong custodial sentence handed down in this case."

The full bodycam video can be viewed here, but does contain violence which may cause distress.

Follow Northamptonshire news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830