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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Grant McCabe

Thugs in balaclavas attacked men with knives and 'ammonia' in Glasgow

A PAIR of thugs brutally attacked two men in a flat - including a threat to spray one with ammonia.

Andrew Hosie, 36, and Stephen Timmons, 27, burst into the property in Glasgow's Cranhill and turned on Ronald McVey and Paul Mullen last September 10.

The victims were at a friend's home when the assailants and an accomplice barged in.

Prosecutor Tracey Brown told the High Court in Glasgow: "All were wearing balaclavas covering their faces, but the eyes were visible.

"They were in possession of knives. One also had an unknown liquid in a spray bottle.

"The males began shouting, swearing and demanded the men lie on the floor."

McVey was slashed across the forehead.

Mullen managed to escape, but not before he was stabbed in the lower chest as he made a getaway.

Brown said: "One of the males turned round with the spray bottle in his hand and said to Ronald McVey: 'Get to f*** or I will spray you with ammonia'.

"He then sprayed the liquid into his face before taking a mobile phone and leaving."

Police were alerted by another resident. Mullen was rushed to hospital having suffered a collapsed lung.

He was fortunately able to be discharged on September 19 after treatment.

McVey meantime has been left scarred for life having been slashed.

The liquid sprayed at him was not a chemical and was thought to be just water.

CCTV helped snare the attackers due to their "distinctive" clothes and bags they had been carrying.

Hosie and Timmons - via their lawyers Allan MacLeod and Graeme Brown - pleaded guilty to the attacks.

Both victims were assaulted to their severe injury and permanent disfigurement with Mr Mullen to danger of his life.

The thugs already had almost 40 previous convictions between them.

Both flouted community payback orders they were serving at the time for earlier crimes.

The attacks are thought to have occurred following a disagreement over an earlier matter.

Lord Arthurson jailed Hosie for six years and Timmons five and a half years.

The judge: "These were concerted and clearly planned attacks upon your victims."

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