Judge hails boy, 9, who leapt on knife man to save mother

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy who was slashed across the face as he tried to protect his mother was praised for his bravery by a judge yesterday.

Nathan Thomson was described as a "very courageous young man" for his attempts to fight off an armed intruder.

Hugh Clark was jailed for eight-and-a-half years yesterday for the attack on Nathan and his mother, Ena.

Clark, 35, repeatedly stabbed Mrs Thomson after breaking into her home in Rosyth, Fife, last year.

When her young son jumped on the intruder's back to try to protect his mother, the offshore worker turned on him, slashing him on the face with a kitchen knife.

Clark had earlier pleaded guilty to one charge of attempting to murder Mrs Thomson, 33, and a second charge of assaulting Nathan, causing his injury and permanent disfigurement.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Brodie told Clark that the physical and psychological effects on Mrs Thomson, her son and the rest of the family had been "considerable".

Lord Brodie told Clark: "You were certainly very drunk at the time of the offences. That might provide an explanation for what occurred, not an excuse." Before passing sentence, the judge made an order allowing Nathan and his 12-year-old sister, Shannon, to be named.

Clark, who appeared from custody, remained impassive as he was led from the dock.

The judge told him he would have been jailed for 12 years had he not pleaded guilty.

The court earlier heard that Mrs Thomson's husband, Marc, was Clark's second cousin. A few months before the attack, Clark had been the subject of an allegation made by Mrs Thomson.

The court was told that on the night of 2 November Clark argued with Mr Thomson in a pub. He was heard to shout at Mr Thomson: "I'm going to murder your wife and I'll get you later."

Mr Thomson did not hear Clark, who then went to the house where Mrs Thomson and her children were sleeping.

After breaking in, he armed himself with a kitchen knife and entered Mrs Thomson's bedroom, telling her: "You tried to ruin my life, now I'm going to ruin yours."

The disturbance woke Mrs Thomson's children. Nathan jumped on Clark's back to try to shield his mother from the assault, but he shook the child off and slashed him. Mrs Thomson then escaped with her son to a neighbour's house before Clark was arrested.

Michael Anderson, the defence advocate, said: "He accepts that the child was struck and he was responsible. That is something he deeply regrets."

The court heard that Clark himself suffered considerable injuries to his vocal cords; these were self-inflicted.

Mr Anderson said that during his time in custody, Clark had taken steps to address his anger issues and alcohol abuse.

Lord Brodie said:

"It appears to me that Nathan could be described as a very courageous young man indeed."

Lord Brodie noted that the youngster had been trying to shield his mother from a "murderous" assault.

"The physical and psychological impacts of these assaults on each member of the Thomson family, have been considerable," the judge added.