Mother jailed for encouraging son during bid to murder neighbour

A mother has been jailed for eight years for her role in a murder bid which saw her son attack their neighbour with a knife.

Carolyn Martin, 55, threw an unidentified liquid at James Duncan in Moorfoot Street, in the Carntyne area of Glasgow, on 13 May 2024.

Martin then shouted "Go Stephen" at her son, Stephen McAuley, before he stabbed the victim.

McAulay was last year jailed for seven-and-a-half years for his role in the attempted murder.

Lord Young said the son was sentenced for exactly the same crime, but added there were some differences.

He told Martin: "You encouraged your son to attack Mr Duncan and your son stabbed Mr Duncan multiple times on his head and body."

The High Court in Edinburgh heard there was some previous bad blood between her son and neighbour Duncan.

Martin admitted that while acting with her son they assaulted and attempted to murder Duncan.

The mother threw an unidentified liquid at the victim and he was repeatedly struck with a knife to his severe injury, permanent impairment and disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

The court heard that McAulay earlier challenged Duncan over a letter that was put on his car.

Advocate Jennifer Nicholson-White said: "James Duncan told McAulay that he was stupid as the letter had been placed on the car by the council who wished the cars to be moved in order for work to be carried out."

McAulay sustained an injury to his face following the confrontation.

The attacker and his mother were then caught on camera leaving his home in Moorfoot Street.

At the time, McAulay was carrying a knife which he tucked into the back of his trousers.

Martin then approached Duncan's home before she joined her son in the street.

When Duncan left the house, liquid was thrown at him before Martin shouted: "Go Stephen."

Her son then removed the concealed weapon and stabbed Duncan in the face, head and body.

The mother and son fled the scene in a vehicle and paramedics later found Duncan bleeding heavily on the pavement while slipping in and out of consciousness.

Following the attack, Duncan underwent surgery and was given a blood transfusion.

A consultant ophthalmologist, who operated on his right eye, said he would be left with very poor vision in the eye.

Lord Young said a victim impact statement suggested that Duncan, who was a crane operator, would struggle to return to work.

The judge said that Martin was previously a victim of domestic abuse and had struggled with drug addiction for most of her adult life.

Defence counsel David Taylor added that Martin had long-standing mental health issues which resulted in her being prescribed with anti-depressants.