A violent thug with a history of offending has been jailed for 11 years after attempting to murder his friend during a heated argument over money.
Ross Platt, 48, carried out the brutal attack on Thomas McBrearty on March 23, 2023, at a property on High Street, Johnstone. The High Court in Glasgow heard today that Mr. McBrearty had stepped in to break up an altercation between Platt and Aileen McIntyre, who was also present that day.
What began as accusations of stolen money escalated into a horrific assault. Platt stabbed Mr. McBrearty at least twice, inflicting severe injuries, including a laceration to his liver. The victim required a chest drain, a blood transfusion, and further medical treatment to survive the attack.
In addition to being convicted of attempted murder, Platt was also found guilty of assaulting Ms. McIntyre. Judge Kevin McCallum KC, who sentenced Platt via video link from prison, described the attack as a “very serious offence” and noted the aggravating factor of Platt’s extensive criminal history, which includes numerous violent offences and a previous High Court jail term.
“You stand convicted of a very serious crime against a background of violent offending over many years,” said Judge McCallum. He added that the offence was made even graver as Platt was on bail at the time of the attack.
As part of his sentencing, Platt will also be supervised for three years following his release, ensuring close monitoring to reduce the risk of reoffending.
This case underscores the devastating consequences of unchecked violence and highlights the importance of protecting communities from habitual offenders.
Paisley Photographs 