A top QC urged a judge to impose a “substantial” jail sentence on a “likeable” teenager who slashed a man’s throat months after trying to kill his flatmate.
Solicitor advocate Iain McSporran told judge Lord Fairley that a lengthy period in custody would give Jay Begbie, now 18, a chance of rehabilitation. Mr McSporran made the submission during a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.
Begbie had pleaded guilty in June 2022 to charges of attempting to murder Jack Elliot on March 18 2021 at the house they shared in Leith, Edinburgh. After being granted bail for the offence, Begbie then went onto stab Robert Young at his flat in Duddingston, Edinburgh, on June 27 2021.
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On Thursday, the court heard how Begbie had expressed remorse for his actions. Mr McSporran said that there was a possibility that Begbie could be rehabilitated and that prison could give him the opportunity to change his life.
Mr McSporran said: “The court has no other option but to impose a substantial custodial sentence on Mr Begbie not only for the protection for the public but for his own protection. He seems to be in a very vulnerable position now. He must face a significant punishment with opportunity of rehabilitation.
“He is a very likeable young man. He does not appear to be a bad person but a person who does bad things.” The case called on Thursday after Lord Fairley deferred sentence for the court to obtain reports.
At proceedings in June 2022, Lord Fairley heard how Begbie attacked Mr Young at the victim's flat in Duddingston, Edinburgh in June 2021. The pair and others had gone there having earlier met at the Capital's Waverley station.
It was at the flat Begbie was ordered to turn music down after Mr Young and his partner had gone to bed. Prosecutor Michael Macintosh told how the young thug became "aggressive" and refused to leave.
He then attacked Mr Young after he confronted him. Mr Macintosh: said "He produced a small yellow knife and struck him with a slashing blow across the throat."
After a struggle between the pair, Begbie fled, but was soon arrested. Mr Young meantime was rushed to hospital. He suffered a five-inch wound to his neck, but luckily it did not affect any major blood vessels.
Mr Macintosh added: "It is anticipated that he will make a full recovery albeit he will be left with a substantial scar." Begbie carried out the attack having also brutally knifed Jack Elliot on March 18 2021.
The pair lived together at a flat in Leith, Edinburgh at the time. They had friends round that night before raging Begbie suddenly asked for everyone to leave the flat.
After struggling with Mr Elliot, Begbie stabbed him warning he would repeat it if he was not left alone. The teen then did strike Mr Elliot again before fleeing the scene. He was later tracked down by at another property in Edinburgh.
He lied that he had stabbed Mr Elliot as he had “pulled a knife on him first. The victim needed surgery having suffered two wounds to the chest area.
Begbie admitted attempting to murder Mr Elliot as well as assaulting Mr Young to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of life. On Thursday, Lord Fairley imposed a six year custodial term on Begbie and also ordered him to be supervised by the authorities for five years following his release from custody.
The judge said he’d taken into consideration Scottish Sentencing Council guidelines which state that people of Begbie’s age should be given a sentence. Passing sentence, Lord Fairley told Begbie - who observed proceedings via video link - that he should take the opportunity to reform himself whilst in custody.
He added: “I have taken account of everything that has been said on your behalf and I have taken note of everything which is contained within the reports which have been placed before the court.
“I note that in accepting full responsibility for these offences you have talked about a desire to improve yourself. I hope that is right. I hope sincerely that you will use your time in custody and your time in supervision positively and that you will improve your life.”
Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn, Gayfield CID, said: “Jay Begbie is clearly a very dangerous individual and we welcome this sentence, which sends a clear message that violence within our communities will not be tolerated in any form.”
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