Aberdeen knife attackers Lee Hipson and Albert Massie jailed
Two men who viciously attacked a couple during a robbery have been jailed.
Lee Hipson, 19, and Albert Massie, 22, admitted carrying out the attack in Upper Mastrick Way, in Aberdeen, on Christmas Eve last year.
Victim Thomas Raitt, 51, was slashed on the face when he went to the aid of his wife Jeeraporn, 37, as the robbers grabbed her handbag.
Hipson was ordered to be detained for six years and nine months. Massie was jailed for five years and 10 months.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Clark of Calton said they had attacked two innocent people.
Hipson grabbed Mrs Raitt's bag before the pair fled, leaving Mr Raitt lying unconscious on the ground.
The judge said: "A custodial sentence of some length is inevitable because, as you recognise, you did terrible damage to two completely innocent members of the public."
Grampian Police Det Con Graeme Moir, who investigated the case, said: "This was a particularly nasty attack on an innocent couple who were returning home from their Christmas shopping.
"The injuries received by Mr Raitt were severe and this type of violence anywhere in Aberdeen is something that will not be tolerated.
"I hope today's sentencing sends a strong message to anyone who may be tempted to commit a similar crime that they face a lengthy prison sentence."