Court hears Jedburgh man left scarred for life following attempted murder bid
Last updated 11th Mar 2025
A 27-year-old man from Jedburgh has admitted attempting to murder a neighbour who claimed he was a drug dealer.
Jamie Denholm slashed the man's throat during the unprovoked attack on the doorstep of his home in the town's Bongate area on June the 9th last year.
The High Court in Glasgow today (Tuesday) heard his 61-year-old victim needed 26 staples to repair the six-inch wound, and has been left scarred for life.
Sentence has been deferred until next month for background reports, and Denholm - who has previous convictions involving a knife and a sword - has been remanded in custody meantime.
The court heard the man and his wife had been returning from a local bar when they spotted Denholm staring at them from the home he shared with his mum.
The couple were aware he was a neighbour, but did not know his name.
Denholm later went to their door. The man answered and it became apparent Denholm was armed with a Stanley knife-style blade.
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James Irvine, prosecuting, stated the attacker raised his right hand and struck the victim "in the neck in an inward motion at his windpipe".
Another neighbour spotted what happened and managed to restrain Denholm, who tried to lash out at the man again.
The court heard the blood-soaked victim alerted his wife to what had happened.
Mr Irvine said: "Fortunately no major arteries were affected."
The court heard the man still has a "pins and needles" feeling in his face at times as a result of the slashing.
Denholm was later held by police and admitted causing the injuries, but denied trying to kill the man.
The case is due to recall for sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh on April 9th.
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