Man jailed for attempted murder in Shetland

A man who stabbed a partygoer in Shetland in a row over money has been jailed for seven years for attempted murder.

Stephen Savage, 50, attacked Ross Sutherland in Lerwick in September 2022.

A court was told Savage had three previous convictions for assaults with weapons.

Savage was sentenced at the High Court in Dundee following a trial in Glasgow last month.

The trial heard that Savage had travelled from Glasgow to Shetland claiming he was going on a fishing holiday with a friend of his cousin, although the man later denied knowing him.

Savage and the man were invited to a party where alcohol and drugs, including cocaine, were being taken.

Guests at the party said Savage, who had also taken cocaine, had "bad vibes" and a fight had broken out.

The trial heard that Mr Sutherland had been blamed for money going missing.

During a struggle, Savage had taken a knife with a 20cm blade from the kitchen, and stabbed Mr Sutherland in the chest.

One witness described a "loud frenzy" as he tried to protect himself.

The victim had fled the property to his girlfriend's home, where she saw blood pumping from a hole in his chest.

Mr Sutherland was airlifted to hospital in Aberdeen.

Judge Lord Harrower said: "If it wasn't for the medical attention, Mr Sutherland surely would have died."

Det Insp Calum Reid, of Police Scotland, added: “This was an extremely violent offence that left his victim with life-threatening injuries.

"Our thoughts remain with his victim and his family who were all affected by this crime. I hope this brings them some comfort as Savage now faces the consequences of his reckless actions."

Allan Macleod, defending, said: "He (Savage) knows he is going to get a significant custodial sentence today.

"He understands the physical and psychological impact of this incident on the complainer."

Savage, from Glasgow, had previously been jailed for four-and-a-half years in 2012 for an unprovoked attack outside a primary school in the city.

Lord Harrower told Savage, who appeared by video link from prison, that he had been deemed a high risk by social workers.

He said: "The gravity of this crime means a lengthy sentence is necessary."

He imposed a seven-year prison sentence with a further three years supervision on Savage's release from jail.