JAMES MCMURDY JAILED FOR 12 YEARS FOR ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER OF SHOP WORKER IN AYRSHIRE
James McMurdy has been jailed for 12 years for the robbery and attempted murder of a shop worker in Ayrshire.
McMurdy (40) entered the Premier Convenience Store in Catrine on Sunday 5 November 2017 armed with a knife and a hammer.
He threatened Senga Houston (63) who was working alone there at the time and demanded money, which she handed over.
McMurdy then subjected Senga Houston to a brutal and sustained attack before fleeing the premises, leaving his victim fighting for her life.
He admitted the charges on 5 March 2018 at the High Court in Glasgow.
Detective Superintendent Allan Burton from Police Scotland’s Major Investigations Team (WEST) said:
“This was a truly appalling crime and Senga Houston is extremely lucky to be alive, however her life now is very different from the one she knew before.
“There was absolutely no reason for James McMurdy to inflict such violence on a defenceless woman. She had already handed over a large sum of money, but he still felt the need to subject her to a brutal, sickening and life changing attack.
“McMurdy’s evil and senseless actions robbed an innocent woman of her independence, and have left her family completely devastated. He is a very disturbing individual and clearly a danger to the public.
“I hope that today’s outcome provides some sense of closure to Mrs Houston and her family who can now hopefully begin to move on from this horrendous ordeal.”