A man who slashed and stabbed two brothers in a row over money was branded a “high risk” danger to the public as he was locked up for almost four years.
Makiyah Gayle turned up at a former flatmate’s home in an Aberdeen high-rise before pulling out a knife and stabbing his victim “indiscriminately” in the face and arms.
The 21-year-old’s then turned his attention to the victim’s brother, slashing him with the weapon as well, leaving the pair drenched in blood.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan described the violence inflicted as “utterly extreme” and so severe that it could easily have blinded one victim.
Fiscal depute Lynee MacVicar told the court that at around 5.10pm on May 4 last year, a witness was sitting in his car outside Premier Stores on School Road when a small white car pulled up.
Victim’s left covered in blood
Four men exited the vehicle and entered Bayview Court flats.
Around the same time, Gayle’s former flatmate – who was home with his brother – heard someone open the front door and enter his property.
Gayle entered the room clutching a knife, along with three other men.
“The accused immediately approached the complainer and began slashing him with the knife – he tried to protect himself, sustaining injuries to his face and hand,” Ms MacVicar said.
The injured man was then forced to watch as Gayle turned the knife on his brother, who also put his hands up to protect himself as Gayle slashed at him, injuring his wrist.
Gayle and the other men then left the flat, as the victim called the police.
Police arrived to find both victims “covered in blood” and rushed them to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where they were treated for numerous facial and arm injuries.
Later that same day, police viewed CCTV footage from the Premier Store where they saw one of the males had dropped a knife before running back to collect it. Officers identified that individual as Gayle.
Gayle pleaded guilty to two charges of assault to severe injury.
Defence agent George Mathers acknowledged the “extremely violent” nature of the offences but also outlined Gayle’s “traumatic upbringing” for the court.
“Mr Gayle has a significant record of previous convictions, which started when he was only 13 years old,” he said.
Mr Mathers told the court that Gayle had been given a four-year prison sentence when he was only 17 in Birmingham and then later received a six-month sentence in Leeds.
“There’s no question it’s a shocking record, however, Mr Gayle has had a horrendous childhood and since that time has lived in over 40 different homes.
‘You pose a high risk of causing harm to the general public’
“He has taken part in offences that involved extreme violence and he has been stabbed a number of times himself.
“In terms of the incident here, he says he just went there to scare the man and didn’t intend to harm anyone.”
Sheriff Buchanan described Gayle’s actions as “utterly extreme” said the “indiscriminate slashing” could have blinded one of the victims.
He added: “This is a very serious matter indeed where the charges involve you using a knife to inflict severe injury to both your victims who will be left with permanent scarring.
“You also pose a high risk of causing harm to the general public.”
Sheriff Buchanan sentenced Gayle, whose address was given as Polmount Young Offenders Institute, to three years and nine months in prison.
