Jail term rise over stab attacks by Stuart Cossar
A man who stabbed three people on the same day has had his prison sentence increased by appeal judges.
Stuart Cossar, 21, was originally jailed for four-and-a-half years over the attacks in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, on 9 May last year.
But appeal judges quashed the sentence on the grounds it was unduly lenient after a protest by the Crown.
Cossar must now serve six years and nine months in prison. He will also be supervised for two years on release.
Cossar admitted assaulting Iain Gorman to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life at Darroch Way, Cumbernauld.
Mr Gorman was stabbed in the back as he walked along the street with a six-year-old girl and suffered a collapsed lung.
Cossar also pleaded guilty to assaulting Christopher Mellors to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement at Glenhove Road, Cumbernauld, and a similar offence against a 15-year-old schoolboy in the town's Hume Road.
Mr Mellors also sustained a collapsed lung and the teenager suffered a puncture wound to his lung.
After Lord Brailsford sentenced Cossar for the attacks the Crown decided to take the case to the appeal court maintaining that the disposal was unduly lenient.
Advocate depute John Scullion argued that Cossar had indulged in a course of criminal conduct on one day after arming himself with a knife.
Cossar, who was previously convicted of possessing a knife and serious assault, posed a high risk or re-offending and a high risk to the community, according to a background report.
Mr Scullion said the original sentence imposed for the knife attacks did not adequately address the seriousness of the offences, the risk posed by Cossar and the need to deter others from carrying out violent attacks.
Lord Mackay, sitting with Lady Smith and Lord Marnoch, said: "We have reached the conclusion that this appeal should be granted and the sentences imposed quashed.
"We are quite satisfied that the sentencing judge erred in his approach to imposing sentence.
"The circumstances of each of these three offences provide a graphic illustration of what happens when knives are used."
Lord Mackay said Cossar would have faced a nine-year jail term for the attacks but for his guilty pleas.