TWO knife thugs were caged for a total of almost 15 years today for the brutal attempted murder of a taxi driver.

Kirk Preston, 21, and Steven Scott, 18, just smiled as they were led away from the High Court in Glasgow.

The pair had been convicted of stabbing defenceless John Bellingham five times after he picked them up in his cab.

Both had been released early from other custodial sentences when they launched the attack last September.

advertisementSentencing them, Lord Carloway said: "This was a wholly unprovoked attack on a taxi driver going about his business. The courts must do what they can to protect drivers because of the impact their job has in the community.

"You showed little remorse for your actions which could have resulted in Mr Bellingham's death."

Preston, of Meadows Avenue, Erskine, and Scott, who is detained at Polmont Young Offenders' Institution, were unanimously convicted of attempting to murder Mr Bellingham by punching and stabbing him on the body with a knife to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment.

The attack happened in Inchinnan after Mr Bellingham, 45, had picked the two men up in Paisley.

As he drove up a lane towards some garages, he heard one of the passengers shout "stab him".

The savage attack left Mr Bellingham with a collapsed lung, and other injuries, but he managed to drive himself to hospital.

The court was told that both men had previous knife convictions.

They will begin their sentences for the attack on Mr Bellingham after serving the remainder of the terms from which they were released early.

Preston will serve 13 months and Scott 80 days.

Lord Carloway branded Preston "a significant danger to the public" and sentenced him to nine years and six months, and to be monitored in the community for five years after his release.

Scott was given five years and four months detention, and ordered to be supervised for three years.

As they were led away to begin their sentences, both men smiled.

Publication date 18/04/07
 
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