Man who attacked lawyer jailed for six years

An Edinburgh man who wounded a partner at Clyde & Co in an unprovoked knife attack has been sentenced to six years in jail.

Paul Wright, 47, was sentenced by Sheriff John Beckett QC at the High Court in Edinburgh, less than a month after his conviction.

Mr Wright’s victim, civil law expert Charles McGregor suffered a slight permanent disfigurement in the attack, which took place in broad daylight.

Mr Wright had demanded Mr McGregor’s wallet before slashing him with a knife, leaving a 5m cut across the cheek.

Mr McGregor and colleague Colette Finnieston subsequently attempted to follow his assailant and took photographs as the man boarded a bus.

The court heard that Mr Wright had a history of violence, mental health issues and drug abuse, and had been abusing crack cocaine in the run-up to the attack.

Defence solicitor advocate John Keenan told the court his client could benefit from the extended period of supervision in jail.

Mr Beckett ordered that Mr Wright be kept under supervision for a further four years after his release.