Man jailed for stabbing ex-friend

A man who stabbed his ex-wife's lover and former friend in a knife attack has been jailed for nine years.

Brian Murray, 44, of Dhu Varren Crescent, Belfast admitted wounding with intent in June 2005.

He had armed himself with two knives and ambushed his former friend at a bank machine on the Shankill Road.

Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Higgins warned those convicted of stabbing others "can only expect a severe and condign (fitting) sentence".

At Thursday's hearing, Murray also agreed to spend a further year on probation on release.

At the beginning of his trial last April, Murray admitted wounding his former friend with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on 2 June 2005.

Two attacks

That plea was not accepted by the prosecution who proceeded with a charge of attempted murder. However, the jury acquitted him of trying to kill him by a majority verdict.

During the trial they heard that Murray had taken two days off work and, arming himself with a sheath knife and a utility knife, waited on the Shankill Road for his victim to appear.

As he stood at a bank machine, Murray stabbed him in the back, severing an artery but was pulled off him by a passer-by, only to launch a second attack with the other knife.

His victim was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital and underwent emergency surgery to save his life.

The trial heard that Murray and his wife separated in April 2003 after 19 years of marriage but that she then formed a relationship with the victim in the autumn of 2004.