Bus passenger was slashed by stranger

A young dad faces a long jail sentence for slashing a complete stranger after an argument on a bus.
Court heard man was slashed after getting off bus.Court heard man was slashed after getting off bus.
Court heard man was slashed after getting off bus.

Joshua Thomson’s victim needed stitches and underwent surgery after the vicious attack in Netherton.

Thomson (21), a prisoner, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting Jason Lyons to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement. It happened in Netherton Road on January 27 this year.

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The court heard the accused already has a clutch of previous convictions for assault and carrying weapons.

Lauren McRobert, prosecuting, said Mr Lyons (43) was on a bus around 5.30pm when Thomson and some friends got on and sat behind him. There was a “disagreement” and Mr Lyons moved to the front of the bus before getting off.

Ms McRobert told the court: “The accused and his friends also got off at that stop. Mr Lyons was standing waiting for his father-in-law to arrive and take him home when Thomson walked up to him and slashed his face. The accused and his friends then ran off.”

The victim was taken to nearby Wishaw General Hospital where a five-inch wound to his face was treated by way of stitches and an operation.

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Thomson was arrested and appeared in court a few days later. The blade used in the attack was not recovered.

Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said Thomson had a difficult background which had led to him being homeless and “left to his own devices”.

Things had looked up and he got into a steady relationship with a young woman. He became a dad and the baby was only four months old when the attack on Mr Lyons took place.

Mr Bruce told the court: “He and his girlfriend had argued and he went out with his friends. He was drinking and taking valium, and has no clear recollection of what happened.

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“He is sorry and was anxious to plead guilty. He knows this type of behaviour is unacceptable.”

Sheriff Ray Small told Thomson: “You pleaded guilty to a serious offence and have a record for violence and possession of blades - four previous convictions for assault and three of those involved either possession or use of a knife.

“At the time of this offence you were on a community payback order for another assault, so custody is inevitable.”

The sheriff deferred sentence until May 25 for background reports and a risk assessment. Thomson, who has been behind bars since his arrest, was again remanded in custody.

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