Knife attack gang member detained

The court heard Donnelly had been capped at international youth level

A promising young rugby player has been detained for four years after admitting carrying out a knife attack when he got caught up in gang culture.

Christopher Donnelly, 16, stabbed his 14-year-old victim after going into rival gang territory in Glasgow.

Police were later told by the youth's parents that he had confessed to carrying out the attack in the city's Penilee area in September.

Donnelly committed the crime after he was freed on bail eight months earlier.

Donnelly, who was living in the Cardonald area of Glasgow but is currently in a secure school for another offence, was originally charged with attempted murder.

But he admitted assaulting the boy to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life by striking him with a knife at Gleddoch Road.

His victim, who has not been named for legal reasons, had to undergo emergency surgery after the stab wound went through the chest wall and injured his spleen.

The judge said he took Donnelly's sporting achievements into account

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Kinclaven told Donnelly he would have detained him for five and a half years, but for his guilty plea.

"The offence was part of what was described as gang-related violence," he said.

"The court requires to mark the seriousness of the offence and to deter others."

The court earlier heard there were regular disturbances between the rival gangs from the Hillington and Penilee areas of Glasgow.

Donnelly was part of the so-called 'Hillington team'.

Defence counsel Alice Taggart said that on the day of the attack he did not seek out rival gang members or go out to take part in gang activities.

The court heard that Donnelly was at a party in Penilee when members of the rival gang appeared at the house.

'No difficulties'

He chased the youths and when he caught up with his victim he repeatedly punched him.

The 14-year-old tried to run away but Donnelly grabbed his jumper and stabbed him.

Ms Taggart said Donnelly's behaviour had gone downhill following a breakdown in his relationship with his mother in 2006.

She said: "Prior to that there were no difficulties with his behaviour.

"Prior to that he was playing rugby and was capped at international youth level."

The judge said he took into account Donnelly's age and his remorse and other positive factors, such as his sporting achievements.