Stephen Savage stabbed William Punshon outside school

A man is facing a lengthy jail term for carrying out a brutal knife attack outside a Glasgow primary school.

Stephen Savage, 38, repeatedly stabbed William Punshon on 20 January after an incident involving their families.

He admitted assaulting Mr Punshon to the danger of his life. At the High Court in Glasgow, sentence was deferred and Savage was remanded in custody.

Police apologised to Mr Punshon, 38, after the incident for failing to act on information he would be attacked.

The court heard how Savage verbally abused Mr Punshon's wife following an incident between their families at the school, in the city's east end.

He also threatened to come back later that day and stab her husband.

Following the incident, police were notified about the possibility that an attack may happen.

Got inside

Later that day, Mr and Mrs Punshon came to collect their son.

The couple were in their car when Savage, who had raced towards them in another vehicle, got inside and began attacking Mr Punshon.

The victim believed at that point he had only been punched, but it was later established that he had been stabbed.

A wounded Mr Punshon managed to get out his vehicle and saw Savage was armed with a knife.

He then struggled with Savage, who continued to attack him with the knife.

School staff and nearby residents watched while Savage continued the attack as Mr Punshon ran back to his car.

Savage then fled before a first aid officer from the school came out to help Mr Punshon.

The victim was taken to hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds, including to his chest and neck.

Deferred sentencing

One consultant said the injuries were "critical and life threatening" and that Mr Punshon may have died had he not been treated.

Savage could initially not be traced following the attack but handed himself into police on 6 February.

Judge Lord Bracadale remanded Savage in custody and deferred sentencing until September.

Following the incident, Strathclyde Police apologised to Mr Punshon for failing to act on information that he would be attacked.

Supt Eddie Smith said at the time: "It is our job to keep people safe and this involves trying to stop crimes before they happen. Despite our efforts, in this instance we did not do that.

"We have met the family and have apologised."