Two armed thugs who carried out brutal attacks on two men within the space of a week were jailed for a total of more than 10 years.
Andrius Lukosevicius chased after a victim in the streets of Aberdeen and repeatedly wounded him in a life-endangering knife attack.
Lukosevicius’ co-accused, Mohammed Abdirahman, was part of a group that assaulted another victim four days earlier at a house in the city by kicking, stamping and jumping on him and striking him with a knife and a mug.
Lithuanian-born Lukosevicius, 34, earlier admitted pursuing and assaulting Salem Bombe on January 11 last year at Balnagask Road and Farquhar Road, in Aberdeen, to his severe injury, permanent impairment and disfigurement and to the danger of his life.
A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh: “You accept you armed yourself with a knife. Even on your own account what happened was premeditated or planned.”
Lord Scott said: “There will be permanent scarring and impairment of your victim due to nerve damage and there was potential danger to life.”
Lukosevicius, who is currently serving a six year and nine month jail term in England for wounding, has previous convictions for knife possession and assault and was assessed as a high risk of re-offending.
Lord Scott jailed him for six years for the attack in Aberdeen and told him he would have faced eight years’ imprisonment if he had been convicted of the offence after trial.
The judge also ordered that he should be under supervision for a further four-year period, when he can be returned to prison if he breaches licence conditions.
He told Lukosevicius: “Having regard to the whole circumstances of the case, and in particular the gravity of the charge, only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
“It is necessary to punish you and to seek to deter you and others from behaving in this way.”
Abdirahman, 25, earlier admitted assaulting David Adams to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement on January 6 or 7 last year at a property at Cornhill Court, in Aberdeen, while acting along with others.
During the attack Mr Adams was repeatedly punched and kicked on the head and body.
His attackers jumped and stamped on his head and body and hit him with a knife, blades and a bottle. They also poured beer over his head.
‘Drug habit from a relatively young age’
Abdirahman also admitted assaulting Alec Allan at the address at Cornhill Court to his injury by punching him, striking him with a bottle and mug and holding a knife to his face.
Lord Scott jailed him for four-and-a-half years and told him he would have faced a six year jail sentence if he was convicted after trial.
The judge said he was younger than his co-accused and had a much shorter criminal record than Lukosevicius.
The court heard that Abdirahman had become involved in offending through drug use, drug debt and threats.
Lord Scott said: “It is said you are now drug-free and your drug debts are considered paid. I hope you are able to remain drug-free.”
Abdirahman was part of a group looking for Mr Adams that attacked him and his friend after shouting that he was a “robbing scumbag” during a row over £50.
Mr Adams suffered face and head injuries, puncture wounds, broken ribs and swelling in the attack on him.
Four days later, Lukosevicius was part of a group seen chasing Mr Bombe, 22, in the Balnagask Road area.
Prosecutor Kath Harper said: “He was seen to be injured with a large slash wound to his left forearm which was bleeding heavily.”
The victim was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered stab wounds to his chest and back.
Gareth Jones KC, for Lukosevicius, said his client had come to the UK in 2004 to seek work and initially lived in London before moving to the south coast of England.
The defence counsel said: “He tells me he developed a drug habit from a relatively young age. He would steal to fund that habit.”
He said Lukosevicius’ lifestyle led him into contact with others who were more heavily involved in the illicit drugs trade.
Mr Jones said he offered no excuses for becoming involved in the attack on Mr Bombe.
He said: “Ultimately, he accepts involving himself in what turned out to be a concerted attack with weapons that resulted in serious injury.
“He has since reflected on his behaviour, both in relation to the English offence and the current matter, and he does express a degree of remorse.”
Defence solicitor advocate Shahid Latif, for Abdirahman, said it was clear from a report prepared on him that he has expressed “appropriate remorse and regret”.
“He said: “He has asked me to apologise to the court.”
He said Abdirahman planned to return to England in future, following his jail term.
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